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Original poster

AIBU to keep a family pub meal booking in the heat?

41 replies

Orangewateringcan · 24/06/2026 08:26

We are in Yorkshire, temperatures expected to reach 30 by this evening alongside the humidity.
We have a family birthday meal booked this evening at 6pm at a local country pub - it’s higher up so might be slightly cooler up there. However my friend has said we are selfish for going as it means the chef has to stand and cook meals in this heat.
She doesn’t think anyone else will be going for meals and everyone will be staying at home with the curtains closed and fan on.

Are we BU to go out for a meal this evening?

OP posts:
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Blogswife · 24/06/2026 20:48

MidnightPatrol · 24/06/2026 08:36

Everyone has lost their minds.

Agreed, it’s ridiculous. How does she think they cook meals in hot countries ? I’ve just been out for a meal , sat outside along with many other people eating & drinking. Everyone was fine, no one combusted !

Miranda65 · 24/06/2026 19:39

Of course you go! If you don't, the pub loses money and the chef - potentially - loses his job. The weather is really not that big a deal - what is wrong with people?

goodoldsussexbythesea · 24/06/2026 19:37

Of course you should go. It's summer so it's hot. It's not like it's never been 30 degrees before. Seesh people really are loosing their minds

Coconutter24 · 24/06/2026 19:31

Tink3rbell30 · 24/06/2026 13:21

I wouldn't. More work for the staff in boiling kitchens and too hot to stuff a load of hot pub meals anyway.

More work for the staff? It’s not more work it’s work. That’s what they’re there to do. If the kitchen is too hot the owners can make the decision to close, if people that are booked in don’t turn up and spend money, the pub still has to pay the staff

latetothefisting · 24/06/2026 19:30

OttersOnAPlane · 24/06/2026 08:42

Your friend is mad. Would the pub prefer to close for a few days and lose revenue? Of course not.

And if they did prefer to do this then presumably they would have!

Motnight · 24/06/2026 19:26

greatvisuals · 24/06/2026 08:35

Perhaps order salads, breads and other cold dishes?

Or bring your own food and offer to cook for the chef as well 😬

mondaytosunday · 24/06/2026 19:25

The chef would be totally pissed off showing up to work and not having customers to cook for! How does your friend think he gets paid?
When in SpainI have sympathy for those who make churros and sell those rotisserie chicken when it’s almost 40 degrees, it must be unbearable, but they must be acclimatised.

Imanexcellentdrivercharliebabbit · 24/06/2026 19:18

So will your friend swerve a hot summer abroad holiday/travel / city break in the summer, lest a foreign chef prepare her meal in the heat etc

BauhausOfEliott · 24/06/2026 17:56

Your friend's being utterly absurd.

swapsicles · 24/06/2026 17:41

One local pub shut at 1 today and will be shut all of tomorrow, others are limiting menus or times.
British pub kitchens are built to keep the wind and rain out and often in old buildings so sometimes yes they are too hot unlike kitchens in Spain etc which are built for the hot weather.

Jc2001 · 24/06/2026 17:33

Cosyblankets · 24/06/2026 08:37

This is getting silly now
If it's too hot the pub will close or reduce their menu

Exactly. Only 30°c as well according to the op. Are people made out of milk chocolate?

Hotandpointy · 24/06/2026 17:31

Maybe your friend just can’t be arsed to go and is making excuses?

courageiscontagious · 24/06/2026 14:31

30oC? Don’t be ridiculous. Go and enjoy yourselves.

do you think everyone in Australia sits at home half the year?

Allseeingallknowing · 24/06/2026 14:13

The only thing that might put me off going to a restaurant in this heat is the extra ingredient- chef’s sweat!

Imanexcellentdrivercharliebabbit · 24/06/2026 14:01

Ha! Just thinking back to when my husband cheffed all over Spain building up his career while the kids were little- in Caceres it was 45 in the shade all summer

get a grip!

Theyreeatingthedogs · 24/06/2026 13:59

You need to get a saner friend. Absolutely bonkers.

MyOliveStork · 24/06/2026 13:50

I think he would be more pissed off about being told he was losing a days pay because it’s hot outside.
It’s ALWAYS hot in a working kitchen, chefs are well used to it!!! Waitress maybe not lol

Purpleandping · 24/06/2026 13:49

If no one goes they'll send the staff home and no one gets paid. That seems far more selfish to me.

FloodlightsOnTheSquare · 24/06/2026 13:49

Tink3rbell30 · 24/06/2026 13:21

I wouldn't. More work for the staff in boiling kitchens and too hot to stuff a load of hot pub meals anyway.

But then the business has to pay them for nothing, so makes a loss on the evening. Makes no sense.

FloodlightsOnTheSquare · 24/06/2026 13:48

Jesus, has she never eaten at a restaurant in Greece, Spain, etc?

People’s brain seem to be melting in the heat.

Tink3rbell30 · 24/06/2026 13:21

I wouldn't. More work for the staff in boiling kitchens and too hot to stuff a load of hot pub meals anyway.

CaptainMyCaptain · 24/06/2026 10:11

Don't people eat in restaurants when they go abroad in hot countries? Ive been to Turkey and Egypt in 40 degrees and still eaten hot food although the restaurants were air conditioned.

Malasana · 24/06/2026 09:47

faithfultoGeorgeMichael · 24/06/2026 08:44

The restaurant will not get paid and if you don't go, believe me as a small business owner when I say the chef and staff want you to go!
Is your friend a public sector employee by any chance? All my PS friends are off work and loving it, telling me I will die if I go in 😂Some of us have to work to get paid!

Public Sector workers are not all off. I’m PS and working as are all my colleagues. Can you tell us which Public Service has closed?

LeedsLoiner · 24/06/2026 09:18

Your "friend" sounds like a right doylem.

Alittlefrustrated · 24/06/2026 09:01

Chefs are used to being hot and sweaty.
People not eating out because it's hot definitely won't help chefs.

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