The office potluck, organized in one link

Why a no-account sign-up sheet matters at work

Asking colleagues to register for yet another tool just to bring hummus is how participation drops. With Bringy, nobody signs up. You create the event, post the link in Slack, Teams or email, and people claim a dish with just their name. It works on work laptops and personal phones alike.

Dish ideas that suit an office

The office kitchen is usually one microwave and a fridge that’s already full. Choose food that needs neither:

• Wraps or sandwich platters
  Cut into halves so people can try several.
• Grain salads
  Couscous, orzo or quinoa — fine at room temperature all afternoon.
• Chili or soup in a slow cooker
  Plugs in at a desk; no microwave queue.
• Samosas, spring rolls or empanadas
  Finger food that is good cold.
• Dips with bread and crudités
  Easy to bring on the train.
• Traybakes and cookies
  Pre-cut, individually grabbable.
• A fruit platter
  Something light between meetings.
• Plates, napkins and cutlery
  The office never has enough.

For more, see our full list of potluck ideas.

Themes that get people involved

• Around the world: everyone brings a dish from where they grew up.
• Chili cook-off: slow cookers, voting slips, a silly trophy.
• Breakfast potluck: pastries, fruit, a big pot of coffee before the all-hands.
• Taco bar: the organizer brings tortillas and assigns fillings and toppings.
• Holiday lunch: a relaxed alternative to the formal party — see our Christmas potluck ideas.

Allergies and inclusion at work

At work, you won’t know everyone’s dietary needs, and people shouldn’t have to announce them to the whole team. Tagging each dish with what it contains — nuts, dairy, gluten, shellfish and so on — lets colleagues decide quietly for themselves. Make sure there is at least one vegetarian, one vegan and one gluten-free option on the list.

Office potluck etiquette

• Keep it optional. Offer a “bring plates or drinks” slot for anyone short on time or budget.
• Remote colleagues can join by ordering a treat for the office, or with a separate virtual lunch.
• Label every dish, and bring a serving spoon for it.
• Book a room or clear a table and set a clear start time.
• Agree who cleans up before it starts, not after.