How to Survive the Office Potluck

After my recent adventures in MasterChef EzrAsia, I've learned a few lessons about protocol, behaviour and maintaining healthy relationships. Read on - and feel free to add your own advice

The office potluck. Equal parts feast, friendship and food roulette

1. Never be first in the queue. Let someone else test the mystery casserole.

2. If nobody can identify a dish after three guesses, proceed with caution.

3. Bringing plates, cutlery or napkins instantly upgrades you to Office Hero status.

4. Saying "I made it myself" is impressive. Saying "I bought it myself" is refreshingly honest.

5. Every potluck has one overachiever. Appreciate them. Don't compete with them.

6. Breakfast potlucks obey no known nutritional laws. Curry puffs, doughnuts and fruit salad can happily coexist at 8:30 a.m.

7. If someone asks, "Have you tried my dish?" the correct answer is, "It's next on my list."

8. Pace yourself. There is always a second lap. Sometimes a third.

9. When the leftovers start circulating, avoid prolonged eye contact unless you're prepared to adopt an entire dish of veg biriyani.

10. Remember, the real purpose of the office potluck isn't the food. It's discovering which of your colleagues has been quietly hiding Michelin-star ambitions.