What you need
Do it, step by step
Choose a forgiving menu
Build around one pot, one grain, one salad, and fruit. Offer a complete plant-based option.
Ask needs, not preferences
Collect allergies, restrictions, mobility needs, and childcare information before shopping.
Give everyone a door into work
Offer chopping, setting, greeting, music, dishes, or leftovers roles.
Label everything
List ingredients and prevent shared utensils between allergen-sensitive dishes.
Use prompts lightly
Place one optional question per table. Food and ordinary talk are enough.
Pack down together
Set a ten-minute cleanup song, assign leftovers, and leave the venue better than found.
Working timeline
- T–7 days: menu and needs
- T–1: shopping and prep
- 0:00 cook team
- 0:45 welcome
- 1:00 eat
- 1:45 cleanup
- 2:00 finish
Safety & limits
Follow food-safety rules, maintain safe temperatures, prevent cross-contact, and never promise allergen-free food unless the environment supports it.
Copy-and-use template
SHARED TABLE MENU CARD Dish: ______ Ingredients: ______ Contains: gluten / dairy / eggs / soy / nuts / other ______ Prepared by: ______ Serving utensil stays here: YES
These materials are free to copy and use. Adjust them to local culture, climate, access needs, laws, and people.