pot-luck
Bring-a-dish gathering
Pot-luck is a meal where each guest brings a dish to share, creating a communal spread of unpredictable variety: We're having a pot-luck at the office.
The older sense—whatever food happens to be available—survives in take pot-luck, meaning accept whatever's on offer without special preparation.
The compound appears as potluck or pot luck.
Food in lidded vessel
- casseroleSlow-cooked oven dish
- side dishSecondary food portion
- main dishMeal's central course
- dessertSweet course after dinner
appetizer · salad · slow cooker · crockpot · serving spoon · recipe · homemade · portion
Mixed collection of things
- hodgepodgeConfused, disorderly mixture
- medleyVaried mixture or blend
- miscellanyAssorted collection of items
- grab bagAssorted collection, unexamined
mixed bag · patchwork · eclectic · smorgasbord · diversity · sampling · range · selection
Self-service meal display
- spreadTo distribute widely
- feastElaborate ceremonial meal
- cookoutOutdoor meal over flames
- barbecueSlow-cook over coals
picnic · get-together · reunion · housewarming · block party · church supper · community meal · shindig
Occurring without pattern
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
- hit-or-missLacking consistent results
uncertain · serendipity · wildcard · crapshoot · roll of the dice · unknown quantity · fate · happenstance
covered dish
Food in lidded vessel
dessert · appetizer · salad · slow cooker · crockpot · serving spoon · recipe · homemade · portion · leftovers
assortment
Mixed collection of things
- hodgepodgeConfused, disorderly mixture
- medleyVaried mixture or blend
- miscellanyAssorted collection of items
grab bag · mixed bag · patchwork · eclectic · smorgasbord · diversity · sampling · range · selection · jumble
buffet
Self-service meal display
barbecue · picnic · get-together · reunion · housewarming · block party · church supper · community meal · shindig · social
random
Occurring without pattern
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
hit-or-miss · uncertain · serendipity · wildcard · crapshoot · roll of the dice · unknown quantity · fate · happenstance · fortune