Come hungry, leave fullfilled!  

When

Sunday, September 16, 2018 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
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Where

Iroquois Park (behind the Amphitheater)
1080 Amphitheater Rd
Louisville, KY 40214

 
Driving Directions 

Contact

Cathy Berkey (cathy.berkey@gmail.com)

We can create
 The World's Largest Potluck 

The previous largest potluck was attended by 3,264 participants in Ahmedabad, India

 

The Big Table is a community-wide initative to reweave the fabric of our community through hosting dynamic spaces for conversation and connection.
To get involved contact
Cathy Berkey (cathy.berkey@gmail.com)
WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!
 
Imagine 3500 people simultaneously sharing an intimate dinner with a few neighbors. Imagine the sights and sounds and smells of tantalizing food and even more interesting stories. Imagine the happy excitement you feel when you connect with a new friend.  
 
Magical things happen when people get together for a meal. They eat. They talk. They connect. In a time with many opposing points of view, we need meaningful dialogue and respectful spaces to come together as neighbors. This is what we are hoping to create with The Big Table. 

At the event, people will be organized into tables of 8, some of whom will be strangers. Volunteers will help facilitate the evening's conversation. We'll share stories about the food we bring, about meaningful tables, about our lives, about ourselves. There will be no central stage or entertainment schedule. The only goal will be to engage with each other, and leave as friends rather than strangers.

Maybe we'll even break a record! We are hoping for at least 3500 attendees, which would put Louisville on the map for the World's Largest Potluck.                                       _________________________________________

We are looking for 450 Table Hosts.

As a Table Host, you will fill the essential role of welcoming participants and guiding the conversation. Do not be intimidated! We have designed a fun and simple process for helping strangers connect and tell stories.
 
To help create a meaningful and magical experience for your table, we are asking Table Hosts to listen to a short 15-minute training session and review a set of hosting instructions, which will be emailed to you after you register. 

Bilingual Table Hosts needed. 
In order to welcome and honor the diversity of our community, we are offering participants the opportunity to sit at tables with bilingual hosts who can help translate.  If you speak Spanish, Arabic, Swahili, Somali, Napali and are willing to help translate into Engliship, please indicate so when you register. 
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Organizational Sponsorships
We are looking for businesses, groups, organizations, and faith communities to help sponsor the event.  Sponsors will be publically recognized at all our tables. Organizational sponsors agree to: 
  • Recruit 5 to 10 Table Hosts from their organization.
  • Provide a donation of at least $50 to help cover the costs of the event. 
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FAQ - Freqently Asked Questions

 

Who should come?

Everyone! We hope to engage the broad spectrum of the Louisville community.

How can we beat the World Record?

The previous World Record was set last year in India with 3,264 participants.  In order for Louisville to be in the Guinness Book of World Records, you must be present from 5:45 PM to 6:15 PM and bring a dish to share with at least 6 other people. To be counted, each person must bring a dish. You may bring food, desserts, fruit and drinks to share.

What should I bring?

  • All your friends and family!
  • A dish to share to feed at least 6 people.  Use a recipe with a family or cultural connection.
  • Bring drinks, but not alcohol or glass bottles.
  • We will not be supplying power or ice, so please use coolers or insulating dishes to keep your food safe.
  • Serving utensils – We will provide plates, napkins and utensils but not serving utensils.
  • Bring blankets and/or a chair – We are providing seating for 3500 people. In case of an extra large turnout, so please bring a blanket in your car just in case. 
  • Please bring a recipe card so that we know ingredients (if the recipe is a secret, a simple list will do!).
  • Please note: We will be marking vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and nut-containing dishes, but we cannot promise those with allergies will not come into contact with these things. These dishes are made in home kitchens and no responsibility will be taken by the cook or the organizing committee. Please use your best judgement.

What to leave at home

  • Alcohol, glass bottles
  • Unleashed dogs – Please use your best judgement on whether or not this activity would be fun for your four-legged family members. If you think yes, please keep your dog leashed during the event.

Parking info

Free parking is available at Iroquois Amphitheater, and also at DeSales High School. ADA parking is available and attendants will be on hand to direct traffic.

Food safety tips 

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness has provided the following food safety tips. Please consider these as you choose your dish, and transport it.