Yes, we know substance trumps style – but if you’ve brought a knock-em-dead dish to the party, you’d better have something smart to serve it in. Here, seven stylish potluck products we love right now:
1. Two-piece teak branch server set It’s high time to bring the great outdoors in with this autumn-inspired set.
$35. Crate and Barrel, 1 The Boulevard, Richmond Heights, 314.725.6380, crateandbarrel.com 2. Cake/pie carriers Normally these are reserved for picnics, but why not a potluck? Unveil that pie or cake in style.
$50. Kitchen Conservatory, 8021 Clayton Road, Clayton, 314.862.2665, kitchenconservatory.com 3. Stainless-steel tongs You don’t need a physics degree to use these snazzy, gravity-operated tongs. Point down and squeeze, and they open. Point them up, and they lock.
$40. Williams-Sonoma, multiple locations, williams-sonoma.com 4. Olivewood bread basket Even the best rosemary-sourdough baguette can be improved with good presentation – which is when the stunning wood grain on this slender basket comes in handy.
$70. Extra Virgin: An Olive Ovation, 8829 Ladue Road, Clayton, 314.727.6464, extravirginoo.com 5. West Bend 5-quart slow cooker with tote Cook your roast in this slow cooker, then zip it up in the insulated tote to ensure it arrives hot, and you arrive looking ever-so-put-together.
$60. Cornucopia Kitchen, 107 N. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, 314.822.2440, cornucopia-kitchen.com 6. Wood serving spoons and appetizer set Other guests’ jaws will drop when they see the handmade wooden servingware by YellowTree Farm’s Justin Lezcz. Look for more of his work at the soon-to-open Bolyard’s Meat & Provisions.
Spoons: $10; Appetizer set: $40. Parker’s Table, 7118 Oakland Ave., Richmond Heights, 314.645.2050, parkerstable.com. 7. Soapstone cutting boards and servingware Use these to cut and portion bite-sized appetizers at home, and bring one along to serve at the party for extra panache.
$40. Extra Virgin: An Olive Ovation, 8829 Ladue Road, Clayton, 314.727.6464, extravirginoo.com
This article appears in November 2014.