BACH 2026 Summer Potluck: “Party Like It’s 1776!” with Richard Foss

BACH 2026 Summer Potluck: “Party Like It’s 1776!” with visiting culinary historian, Richard Foss

Join us for a Summer Potluck in the park to commemorate America’s Semiquincentennial. For our first ever outdoor potluck, we are gathering Sunday, May 31st, 4:30 p.m. till 7:30 p.m., in a public park in Berkeley (exact address to be provided to registered attendees).

Visiting culinary historian Richard Foss and BACH's Carrie Tillie (in full period costume) will present a short talk, Seeds of a Nation: 18th Century Eats in Colonial New England & Spanish California. In that vein, the theme of the potluck are offerings from the 1770s, from both Spanish Californios and the colonies on the East Coast.

Tickets are $10, which will cover the costs of compostable service ware (plates, cups, cutlery) and the park reservation fee. Each attendee is asked to bring at least one dish to share with the group. Note that as this is being held in a public park, alcoholic beverages are forbidden. BACH will be providing beverages from the 1700s: Barley Water, Shrub, and/or Spruce “Beer.”

We will be sending registered attendees links to a selection of period cookbooks from which you can choose a dish to share. There will also be a separate spreadsheet where you’ll be asked to log your contribution, as this helps to balance the menu and prevent duplications.

Space is limited!

Note that this is not our usual 5:00 p.m. Sunday start time.

As always, it is helpful if you can indicate your interest for the event on the BACH Events page on Facebook in addition to registering here on Eventbrite.