Remember To Bring A Plate

A simple phrase, "remember to bring a plate", used by Kiwi's whenever there is a social gathering of sorts - very popular for Thirsty Thursday drinks :)

It means, on the surface, "Bring a plate of food to share" and not bring an empty plate!

The underlying meaning is "Bring a plate of something to share, no matter how small or cheap" as it is the bringing of the plate that matters and not really the contents. It's an expression of community, whanau, love, and friendship and not an expectation that you'll spend hours and hours in the kitchen. Although, if that's your thing then absolutely go for it and you will be praised to the heavens. In New Zealand, the "plate" should ideally be something easy to share, like club sandwiches, sausage rolls, or a slice of cake - remember it's the sharing that matters, not the actual food.

It's not just a Kiwi thing of course, Aussies have the same phrase and I'm sure many other parts of the world us it, or "potluck" to mean the same; here are several phrases from around the world that function similarly to "bring a plate":

English-Speaking Variations

• Potluck(North America): This is the standard term in the US and Canada. It implies that the "luck of the pot" determines what everyone eats. You might also hear "covered dish " in the Southern United States and the expectation is usually a larger casserole or a side dish that serves 6–10 people.
• Jacob's Join (Northern England): A traditional term used in parts of Lancashire and Cumbria. It refers to a communal meal where everyone "joins" in by bringing a dish.
• Faith Supper (UK/General): Often used by church groups or community organizations, implying you have "faith" there will be enough food once everyone contributes.
• Pitch-in (Midwestern United States): Specifically common in Indiana, it’s a direct call for everyone to "pitch in" a dish.

International Phrases

• American Supper (UK): Interestingly, some in the UK use this term to describe a potluck-style meal, even if it has nothing to do with America or American food.
• Buffet Canadien (French-speaking Europe/Canada): In France and Switzerland, this phrase is used for a meal where guests bring the food. It’s essentially the French equivalent of "bring a plate."
• A la canasta (Latin America): Translating to "to the basket," this suggests guests should bring their food in a basket to share with the group.
• Snyat’ (Russia): While not a single word, the phrase skladchina (складчина) refers to a "pool" or "kitty" where people contribute either money or food for a joint event.
• Nyama Choma (East Africa - Context Dependent): While primarily referring to grilled meat, in social "contribute-and-cook" settings, you might hear requests to bring specific ingredients for the grill.

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