Meal ideas for house guests

[DorisDay88]

Wondered if anyone could help me with meal ideas for two couples who are staying with us for 3 nights at the end of this month as I'm in worry mode already
Bit of background - we met one half of each couple on a touring holiday, we all got on great, have been to visit them a couple of times since but stayed in hotels due to space and our personal preference. One couple own three restaurants, and we mainly ate there and they were very generous with paying for meals and drinks.
I'm not a confident cook but can make a good roast dinner, salmon etc but not so happy with casseroles, they don't seem to turn out right for some reason. Also don't like people watch me cook and am anxious as one guest is a chef! I'm also not used to catering for house guests apart from family where we all muck in together
We intend to eat out a fair bit as we take them to see the sights but wondered if anyone can suggest what I should get in for breakfast? Should I offer something cooked every day or just get in some nice breads, croissants etc?
Any ideas for stress free meals, things I can keep in the fridge (apart from plenty of beer and wine of course!)
I want to enjoy our guests but really worry about feeding them - any help gratefully received.

[Blondie1984]

For breakfasts I would do a full cooked one on one of the days they are there but on the others I would do more of a continental offering: croissants, pain au chocolate, nice bread, a fruit selection and then on another maybe smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels?

For dinner, how about doing something that you can make beforehand and then just reheat? For example things like osso bucco, stew, curries tend to taste better when made in advance and reheated than eaten straight away.

What sort of food does the couple serve at their restaurant? You probably want to go for something unlike that....

[Notthisnotthat]

Definitely stick to what you feel comfortable making, I love a good roast, salmon, chilli, lasagne, baked potatoes with various fillings and salad. I agree with the pp about making things like stew in advance as they always taste better on the second day. chilli, lasagne and stew freeze well too.

Breakfast is so much easier as a help yourself, so the breads, fruit, yogurt, meats and cheese are fab, and a cooked breakfast once.

[KitKat1985]

I agree with PP - a cooked breakfast once would be fine. I don't really know anyone who would normally eat cooked breakfasts several days in a row.

As for other meals, don't get fixated on the fact that one of your guests in a chef - I'm sure he isn't expecting restaurant style meals every evening. Since you say your hosts were generous when you last holidayed with them, I'd go for dishes that are simple to cook but 'generous' in terms of cost (if you can afford it). So maybe steak one night with chips? A decent joint of meat for a roast dinner another night? Salmon with new potatoes and veg another night?

For lunches I'd maybe get some nice bread in, as well as meat, cheeses and salads etc.

[RemusLupinsChristmasMovie]

The chefs I know are always just really grateful that it's somebody else cooking instead of them tbh.

Don't try to do too much, or try to make it 'restaurant-esque'.

Breakfasts - fruit, pastries, cereal, toast or nice bread and jams. Maybe sausage and bacon baps on one of the days.

How about doing a curry feat on one of the nights? Doesn't need to be a big fuss - a meat curry, a veggie side, rice and then bought breads and samosas etc.

In the fridge etc - cheese, crackers, grapes, crisps, olives for if you get munchies if staying up late nattering. And some packets of 'nice'' biscuits.

[AtleastitsnotMonday]

Breakfasts I agree with one cooked and maybe an offer of eggs on other mornings. Bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon are also a nice option one morning.

If I were you I would pick the 3 meals you are most confident cooking and then serve them.

[AtleastitsnotMonday]

Alternatively cook, Waitrose and m&s all do great catering options!

[DorisDay88]

Thank you all, some great ideas here especially the bagels and smoked salmon, would never have thought of that - quite posh but easy!
I've got time to have a trial run of a couple of casseroles before they come so maybe I'll do that to get my confidence up - or not depending on how they turn out
Anyway I'm good at decanting nice quality supermarket meals into my own dishes so always have that to fall back on
You've been really helpful, I appreciate it !