The Blackout Banquet
A theatrical fine-dining menu served under soft, warm lighting while clear paths and exits stay visible throughout.
At home · Medium budget
Potluck Iron Chef Showdown
A potluck party idea with a shared ingredient, clear course plan and safe, labelled tasting.
PLAN
READY 6–12 people Social
READY 6–12 people Social
Best for6–12 people
BudgetMedium budgetEstimate: $60+
LocationAt home
EnergySocial
01
Before you begin
Gather your supplies
Tick these off as you shop, borrow or pull them from the house. The list is a practical starting point, not a claim that every item is required.
02
The plan
How to run it
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Announce the Shared Ingredient
Announce the Shared Ingredient: Choose one ingredient only after checking guests' allergies and dietary needs. Make substitution and allergen information part of the brief, never a surprise in the dish.
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Claim a Course
Claim a Course: Guests claim a starter, main, side or dessert in the group chat, with an option to bring a ready-to-eat item instead. Tell hosts to label the dish, ingredients, allergens, preparation and storage needs.
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Label the Tasting
Label the Tasting: Set out covered trays with separate utensils and keep cold and hot foods at safe temperatures. Guests score taste and presentation by dish number, and may skip any dish; do not serve unlabelled shared food.
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Crown the Winner
Crown the Winner: Choose the winner by score or a house-friendly tie-breaker. Store leftovers promptly, clean the serving area and provide alcohol-free drinks by default.
03
Keep the room moving
A practical run of show
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30 min before
Announce the Shared Ingredient
Announce the Shared Ingredient: Choose one ingredient only after checking guests' allergies and dietary needs. Make substitution and allergen information part of the brief, never a surprise in the dish.
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15 min
Claim a Course
Claim a Course: Guests claim a starter, main, side or dessert in the group chat, with an option to bring a ready-to-eat item instead. Tell hosts to label the dish, ingredients, allergens, preparation and storage needs.
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90 min
Label the Tasting
Label the Tasting: Set out covered trays with separate utensils and keep cold and hot foods at safe temperatures. Guests score taste and presentation by dish number, and may skip any dish; do not serve unlabelled shared food.
-
20 min
Crown the Winner
Crown the Winner: Choose the winner by score or a house-friendly tie-breaker. Store leftovers promptly, clean the serving area and provide alcohol-free drinks by default.