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Original poster

Guests wasting food

283 replies

PottersMarsBars · 01/05/2025 10:03

We have a bbq coming up and one of the guests is known for overfilling her plate and only eating a small amount of it. She does it every single time. I don’t feel comfortable saying anything as it might cause friction with the relationship dynamics but seeing an obscene amount of food going into the bin really pisses me off it’s like she’s throwing my money away. On top of that she comes over with empty hands, not that we need anything but I wouldn’t go to someone’s house and not take a bottle of wine with me specially when she drinks a lot. Would it be wrong if I served her instead of letting her serve herself? Not inviting her isn’t an option unfortunately.

OP posts:
SmoothOperatorCarlosSainz · 01/05/2025 10:19

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 01/05/2025 10:14

Offer her a doggy bag, it may make her aware of how much she is throwing away.

I second this! I wouldn't even offer her a doggy bag. I would doggy bag her waste up and make her take it home pointing out nicely it's "the food you didn't eat here".

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 01/05/2025 10:16

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 01/05/2025 10:14

Offer her a doggy bag, it may make her aware of how much she is throwing away.

Yes I would do this. Make a point that you'd really hate the food to go to waste.

Meadowfinch · 01/05/2025 10:16

I always serve barbecue food, cook it in series, so things aren't all cooked, and risk it burning at the same time.

I'd put bread, salads and drinks out, and have the sausages ready first. Serve everyone a sausage, then the steaks and then the chicken which takes longest to cook anyway, so perfectly reasonable.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 01/05/2025 10:14

Offer her a doggy bag, it may make her aware of how much she is throwing away.

FieldInWhichFucksAreGrownIsBarren · 01/05/2025 10:12

Yes I'd serve this person and wouldn't hesitate to tell them why if asked, food waste really pisses me off.

MumChp · 01/05/2025 10:11

Let it go.

DisforDarkChocolate · 01/05/2025 10:11

I think it would be hard to do this to one person only. Doesn't mean you shouldn't do it, can't stand food waste. I'd also limit wine by the sound of it, not because they don't bring anything (it's fine to tell her to bring something) but because I'd be worried about how they would act.

sashh · 01/05/2025 10:10

It depends how you BBQ.

My preferred method is to put a couple of things on, say sausages and burgers, then when the burgers are done I'll ask who wants one and put something else on. Then when the sausages are done I do the same.

So food is available throughout the afternoon but only 1 or 2 things at a time.

I know some people put everything on at once and I think that can make people over fill their plates.

Have salad and accompaniments out for people to help themselves.