Food at Potlucks- Am I the only one?

Don't you eat at restaurants?

Bruce

I always eat food at pot luck gatherings that others have prepared because I know that they probably cook a lot better than I do.

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bumpy

Never a problem. I have eaten at potluck all my life and have never never gotten sick of found bad things in my food. What about family gatherings - do you eat the food the cousins bring even though you see them once per year? I'm glad I am more relaxed about this type of thing and can enjoy the variety of foods provided.

It is quite all right if you cannot eat food prepared by strangers. All of us have things that we cannot do, so do not beat yourself up. No you are not the only one who does this. My wife and daughter are the same way so I understand your feelings.

I have no issues eating at a potluck, the thought of it does not bother me nor does eating out at a restaurant which I think is a little more risky then a pot luck.

I do know of people who will only eat food at a potluck that they know was prepared by freinds or family though. As well know of people allergic to peanuts and gluten who bring their own food.

We eat food at potlucks several times a year. They are at gatherings of geocachers, and each event gets 150-200 people. Never had any bad food there. Unusual food sometimes, but never bad.

The only time that I can remember getting bad (bad meaning getting you sick) food was at a catered event for a retirement. About 200 people there, 40-50 that we know of got sick quick. Found out the caterer used bagged lettuce, and didn't wash it. Made the salad right out of the bag.

At many restaurants, if you walked through the kitchen, you'd never eat there.

Due to the high number of people I see leaving the restroom without washing their hands (even after both forms of use), it also makes me leery about potlucks and also buffet style eateries.

I look at it this way. I had a nephew who worked as a waiter in a restaurant back east and he told me he will never eat in a restaurant again now that he knows what goes on in the kitchen. we belonged to a camping club some years ago and the one guy said the problem with potlucks is there is never enough food to go around. he was kidding of course, we always took food home. I personally like the variety of the foods brought by others.

It is quite ok to attend a potluck and not eat anything. But, do you bring a dish with you to share? Its kind of rude if you don't. An alternative would be to join the party after the food is eaten.