Holiday potluck ideas for last-minute crammers
Christmas may already be over, but here in the Philippines, the holidays still go on until the year ends. Yes, even that limbo from Dec. 26 to 29, which technically isn’t a holiday, but somehow still feels like one… that counts, too.
Whether you’re chasing last-minute work deadlines and revisions, or catching up on belated Christmas gift-giving, many of us find ourselves in familiar territory: that is, frantic scrolling to find something—anything—to bring to their holiday parties, whether as gifts or potluck contributions.
For crammers (myself included), these brands will easily save the day.
1. For food trays: Manam
Known for serving up hearty Filipino food, Manam’s beloved favorites—from their House Crispy Sisig to Caramelized Patis Wings, and even the humble garlic rice—translate just as well at the potluck table.
Think hearty portions made for sharing in the form of Super Benta Boxes (supersized versions of the popular single-serving Benta Boxes that can easily feed six to eight people each) that allow you to curate your options, or Pasko Padala bundles that guarantee more bang for your buck (well, peso), which include pre-selected meat, veggie, and carb options in varying price ranges.
Personal favorites include the aforementioned dishes, along with the Pasko Handaan bundle, which features a House Crispy Sisig Super Benta Box, Gising Gising Super Benta Box, Caramelized Patis Wings Super Benta Box, Large Sinigang na Beef Short Rib & Watermelon, Large Crispy Pancit Palabok, and White Rice Super Benta Box, which can easily feed eight to 10 people.
Available for delivery via GrabFood, FoodPanda, or directly on the website at https://manam.momentfood.com/
2. For cakes: Cravings
From cakes and pastries to hearty dishes that echo the taste of home, Cravings has been a constant presence in many intimate celebrations since its humble beginnings in 1988. And this year is no different, with Cravings ushering in a lineup that’s designed to satisfy cravings across the board, pun intended.
Be the talk of the table with the Chocolate Caramel Deluxe cake, a decadent and indulgent dessert featuring layers of chocolate cake, caramel frosting, and swirls of chocolate ganache. Other options include mainstays like the Devil’s Food Cake, Cherry Walnut Cheesecake, and Carrot Walnut Cake.
The best part? All these come in gift-ready boxes, should you need to send out any last-minute gifts.
For inquiries and catering arrangements, contact wecater@cravingsgroup.com. Follow Cravings on FB/IG: cravings.philippines for holiday announcements and product updates, and browse the full menu at cravingsgroup.com and cravingskitchenph.com
3. For handheld snacks: Onogiri
Change up your potluck game with handheld bites that allow for socializing and mingling freely, or even some pre-game snacking before the food trays arrive. And if you’re in the mood for something Japanese, Onogiri’s hearty riceballs are up your alley.
Straightforward and simple, but packed with tons of flavor all the same. These triangular-shaped riceballs are made up of fluffy rice, crisp seaweed, and a host of fillings available—from classics like the Spam and egg and tuna mayo, to premium offerings like the yuzu salmon, unagi tamagoyaki, and mentaimayo (mentaiko and mayonnaise). Korean-inspired flavors like kalbi (Korean beef) and spicy kimchi chicken (complete with a kimchi fried rice base) are even up for grabs, both of which are must-haves in my opinion.
These onigiri come in boxes of six or eight for easy sharing or gift-giving, and buying 4 boxes of these gets you a free Onogiri tote bag—available only until Dec. 31 or until supplies last.
Available for pick-up at The Grid, Powerplant Mall, or via delivery. Message Onogiri on Viber at +63 927 854 0317 or Instagram @onogiri.ph for orders or to know more about its offerings
4. For drinks: La Mesa Mead
Food trays and desserts make up the pulse of every potluck, but the true unsung heroes are the drinks, alcohol included (drink responsibly, though!). Different from the usual beers and wines that come to mind when we think of spirits, mead offers honeyed notes and an artisan-like quality that pairs well with both sweet and savory dishes without overpowering them.
A fermented drink that puts honey at the forefront—local honey, at that—La Mesa Mead reflects the rich biodiversity of the lowland forests and watersheds of the Philippines (Quezon City, Caloocan, Batangas, and Naga, to be specific), with flavors that are richly complex and full-bodied, yet simultaneously fruity and floral all the same.
My personal favorite is the La Mesa Mead Vida, a tropical variant that is more on the sweeter side, as it features three times more honey than regular variants. Silky and smooth, it features subtle notes of pineapple, cacao nibs, and Filipino spices. It makes for a sweeter, more approachable drink for drinkers such as myself, who prefer sweeter, honey-forward spirits. Best enjoyed chilled or on the rocks.
For orders and inquiries, visit www.coffeexmead.com, or follow the brand on Instagram at @coffeexmead and @lamesamead
