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WHY WE DON’T EAT AT THE POTLUCK By Katavia Larry
PHOTO BY AUGUST DE RICHELIEU FROM PEXELS
Raisins Don’t Belong In Food We’ve all seen that person who likes to “spice up” a dish and make it their own by boldly modifying traditional recipes. This is how we end up with horrible food combinations like raisins in potato salad, hot dogs in mac and cheese, and nuts simply where they don’t belong. If our grandmothers didn’t include it in the recipe, you shouldn’t either!
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HE HOLIDAY SEASON AT WORK is a joyous time for many. Pre-pandemic of course, your coworkers happily prepare for the annual company potluck at the office. Everyone is all smiles, but you find yourself mustering up the strength to keep a smile going. While your manager enthusiastically asks what everyone would like to bring, you apprehensively prepare yourself to just get through the day. Deep down, you’re reminded by the facts that are hard for any melanated person to forget: Everyone Doesn’t Season Their Food Now we agree that salt should not be the main seasoning in everything, and that it can ruin a dish FAST! But seasoning food is a must! Bland food has NEVER been acceptable in Black culture. So to the co-worker who feels it’s their duty to look out for everyone’s waist line and blood pressure by not seasoning their food…DON’T!
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Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness Contrary to popular opinion this phrase is not in the Bible, but it is a philosophy of life in Black culture. We saw you when you used the bathroom the other day and left without washing your hands. We could tell it was you by your shoes! When you waltz into the potluck with your dish, please believe we already made the mental note to DEFINITELY not touch it, whether it’s store bought or not! Your Pet Is Not a Human Now I know that Fido and FeFe are like members of the family for some people, but they are animals. You can assure us all you want that your pet never comes into the kitchen and that you are a clean cook, but we ain’t buyin’ it! Did you forget that day we walked in your office and saw you talking to little Toto on your pet cam? He was on the counter then! We are not about to take a chance of ingesting a hairball from Chester by eating your potluck dish. Unfortunately, even pros at avoiding the company potluck can get caught up at times and end up having to attend whether they want to or not. When this happens Black people err on the side of caution and stick to what are likely the safer potluck food options: what was store-bought and catered. And when in doubt, just eat your own food. u
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