Just because it's chocolate, does not make store bought > homemade

[MaggieTheCat]

Does anyone else run into this problem? We would have potlucks every month or two back at my old job, and I don't particularly like to bring store-bought crap, so I'd usually make something from scratch. I was the ONLY person who would ever make something homemade; everyone else either did something like chips and salsa, or wings from the grocery store deli, or breadsticks from Pizza Hut, or some disgusting pre-made dessert. Always, ALWAYS the person who brought the disgusting cardboard brownies with the frosting thick enough to glue wood together and sweet enough to make your teeth fall out on the spot, would get all the praise. "Ooooh, this is so good, where did you get it? Oh, it's so chocolatey, I love it, I just can't stop eating it!" Meanwhile, my homemade fruit pizza is getting ignored.

It always just pissed me off that the person who puts the least amount of work into something gets all the compliments just because it's chocolate. And the one time I did bring something chocolatey (homemade brownies) the store-bought cake still won out because it had frosting on it.

PS: To my co-worker who once complimented me on a dessert I made solely because it had homemade whipped cream on it, instead of Cool-Whip: Do you know how long it takes to make whipped cream? Do you? Less time than it takes to thaw Cool Whip, that's for sure. Try about 60 seconds, tops. You can do it, sweetie. I know it's hard, getting out a bowl and some eggbeaters. You DO have to use your arm muscles a little bit, but it's only for about a minute. Better yet, if you have an electric mixer, you don't even HAVE to put any physical work into it!

[kiwi]

If its a potluck at work Im going store brought, but thats because I HATE work pot lucks so as long as I bring something edible then as far as Im concern I have done my bit.

The only reason I even went to work drinks was because of the free alcohol and my direct manager always went and I needed a good reference from her.

[powerboy]

At one of my last jobs, we had a pot luck. Everything had to be homemade. And there were prizes to be given. Only a few people took anything home made. Everyone else, bought something from the store. And guess which type won the prizes. Yup, the store bought. What a way to give thanks to someone who actually took the time to make something. I only made oatmeal cookies and double fudge brownies, that my then girlfriend had help make.

[Boozy]

I usually bring store-bought stuff to potlucks, since I don't cook or bake. The purpose of a potluck is just to get a bunch of friends together for a meal without it costing one person a fortune. It shouldn't really be about the food.

If someone invited me to a potluck with a "must be homemade" rule, I'd decline the invite. They obviously don't care who comes. It's all about the food for them. That's not my kind of party -- the hosts are just looking to be fed a nice meal on the cheap, regardless of whose company they share it with.

As far as the OP goes... people like chocolate more than fruit. It's a sad fact. The important thing is that they were happy that YOU came, I'm sure.

Edited to add: I hope your friends at least acknowledged the time and effort you put into making them dessert. You can't make it their favourite, but you can definitely expect appreciation.

[AFPheonix]

I obviously have to do store-bought if I do something like a cheese platter, but I'll do home made stuff too. The last potluck we had I did 2 kinds of bruschetta that went over pretty well.

The only time I did something chocolate was for christmas, I brought in my fondue pot and did a chocolate fondue. It went over pretty well.

I guess I don't mind if I get praised or not, I'm just happy to get really good food. I love decent cooking.

[AdminAssistant]

I took a casserole to my last potluck that went over really well. *shrug* Most of the desserts were store-bought. I dunno, some store-bought stuff is okay, some is not.

[Giggle Goose]

You should come to MY work, then! Almost everyone who brings something homemade gets a LOT more attention.

A lot of people have brought in stuff that has everyone else begging for the recipes. I now have awesome recipes for buffalo dip, cake, casseroles...mmm now I'm hungry!

But if someone brings in something store-bought it's no big deal. Like Boozy said, it's a lot cheaper than getting a catered luncheon pr something. If you feel you're making a huge effort and no one is being receptive, just bring a deli tray from the grocery store next time. Save your effort for people who WILL appreciate it. And ENJOY, cuz it's free food!!!!!

[Cats]

Well, some store bought stuff, chocolate included, IS better than the homeade stuff. Depends on what it is is and who cooked it.

While it's nice to share your own dishes at a Pot Luck, if the host doesn't mind, I WOULD bring something store bought because I CAN'T cook to save my life (pizza and mac and cheese doesn't count in my book).

However, if there is awards for best dishes, hell yes, bring your own food in and not store bought. That's just insane and unfair.

But then again, we must factor in the universal rule...that chocolate is ALWAYS full of win.

[MystyGlyttyr]

I brought homemade chocolate bars to a Christmas potluck at work a couple of years ago, and had people begging me for the recipe. (Um, there wasn't really one, I just kept throwing ingredients together till I had something good. Like I always do in the kitchen. What The Hell Stew anyone?)

But up here, it admittedly is typically is all about the food because reporters are like a pack of wolves...if it holds still long enough (and sometimes not even then) at least one of them will eat it. We all joke that if anyone has too many bottles of unidentifiable substances in their fridge, all they have to do is bring it up here and leave it on a table and it'll be gone by the end of the day.

[tropicsgoddess]

I stick to the basics with homemade stuff for potlucks. Last time I did something homemade for a potluck was cheese lasagna, it was a hit. Depending on who is bringing what and on my mood I might bring something store bought.