Exhausted by the conventional forms of about-town entertainment,
a group of OU students has discovered a new platform for
socializing: the potluck dinner.

While the potluck’s origins go back as far as Elizabethan
times—when household guests were offered “luck”
in finding food from a pot—the whole notion of it being a
favorable pastime for young people is somewhat of a surprising
development.

The idea was born out of a conversation Yasmeen Zaid,
pre-pharmacy junior, and a few of her friends were having regarding
the inconvenience of eating out night after night.

“My friends and I were tired of paying a lot of money for
food we could easily make at home,” Zaid said. “And we
were doing it just to have an excuse to hang out.”

From that conversation, Zaid and a few of her close friends set
out to plan a potluck dinner. Taking place at Zaid’s home
last year, the dinner brought together a diverse sampling of
friends, each of whom was requested to bring an individual
dish.

Paul Kriley, art sophomore, a regular participant in the dinners
and one of the original guests, said he liked the idea that
everyone was responsible for bringing different entrees.

“Everyone looks forward to the opportunity to impress one
another with their cooking,” he said.

That’s not to say that only gourmet appetizers and high
cuisine dishes are acceptable at the dinners.

“That’s part of the fun,” Kriley said.
“Sometimes you have to be really creative, like make peanut
butter wraps and stuff.”

Since that first potluck dinner last winter, the group has
expanded its base of “chefs” and now holds a weekly
potluck at a different home each time.

And while peanut butter wraps, stuffed pablanos and Vietnamese
spring rolls are part of the appeal, Zaid said she thinks the
popularity of the potluck dinners has a lot more to do with their
social implications.

“Potlucks provide a great way to not only catch up with
old friends, but to meet new people as well,” Zaid said.
“Food is something people can relate to on all levels. What
dish you brought, how it was prepared, how something
tastes—these are immediate conversation topics.”

The potluck has evolved from its original mealtime purpose.
These days, it is a base for theme nights, birthday parties,
congratulatory celebrations and even dates.

The group welcomes anyone interested in sharing dishes and
conversation. Those interested may contact Yasmeen Zaid at
yasmeen86@yahoo.com.
hello there & you too