Reply #23: I grew up Methodist. Pot Luck (or Fellowship Suppers) are part

[yellowdogintexas]

of the ritual, especially at the small country churches. Man I loved those things.

Everybody brought their very best stuff, too and we had some extraordinary cooks in that little church.

I have worked with individuals whose food I would not ever touch. At one office, there was a particular employee who was just so slovenly and unhealthy looking that her co workers identified her dish and made sure everyone knew which dish was hers. Consistently avoided, unless she brought something from the grocery still in its wrapper.
There were several legendary stories about her, one of which included the pet birds that she let fly loose around her house....need I say more?

I also tend to avoid mayo based foods, unless they are COLD. I also tend to either take something baked, or some sort of vegetable thing that can go in the fridge and is best eaten cold.

I have never become ill from a pot luck meal. However my former mother in law nearly killed us with some leftover turkey one year.

Worst case of food poisoning I ever had was from a restaurant, I am fairly certain. Whatever it was, my husband and I both got it and we still do not know what gave it to us. Food Poisoning can hit as soon as 6 hours from eating up to 24 hours later.