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AIBU?

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Original poster

Friends promised a BBQ and delivered an Iceland beige buffet!

525 replies

Bbqdisaster · 23/08/2026 19:32

As above really, myself, DH and 3 DC went to our friends’ house yesterday on the promise of some drinks in the garden and a BBQ.

They said they were having issues with their BBQ so would do an ‘indoor BBQ’. This consisted of beige food from Iceland!!

AIBU to find this a woeful alternative?

OP posts:
Original poster
Bbqdisaster · 23/08/2026 20:12

angelikacpickles · 23/08/2026 20:11

Did you accept the invitation on the basis of the type of food being served? Would you have turned them down if you knew it would be party food? I can't imagine deciding whether to go to a friend's house or not based on the type of food they would be serving.

If you select ‘see all’ under this post you’ll be able to refer to my previous posts.

OP posts:
Cherrytree86 · 23/08/2026 20:12

See if you can make sure you have a freezer supply of high quality Charlie Brigham style ready meals for your family in case of emergency, why couldn’t they have shopped at a farm shop this morning to cater for you??!
YANBU, OP @Bbqdisaster

Didimum · 23/08/2026 20:12

Wow. What a snob you are, OP.

Original poster
Bbqdisaster · 23/08/2026 20:11

We were very much thankful when leaving yesterday and ensured they were aware we appreciated them hosting.

We did bring a load of drink, and one of DH’s posher bottle of wines was left behind unopened (I don’t drink the stuff, but I expect it cost a multiple of the food!). We also had a range crisps and snacks for the kids.

OP posts:
angelikacpickles · 23/08/2026 20:11

Did you accept the invitation on the basis of the type of food being served? Would you have turned them down if you knew it would be party food? I can't imagine deciding whether to go to a friend's house or not based on the type of food they would be serving.

DarkForces · 23/08/2026 20:11

Bbqdisaster · 23/08/2026 20:06

Fortunately we had some emergency meals stocked from our local farm shop (think along the lines of Charlie Bigham meals you can get in some of the supermarkets).

Show quote history

Oh thank heavens for Charlie Bingham saving the day 🧡

Victorius19 · 23/08/2026 20:10

I think I'd have cried OP. We don't eat processed food like that unless we're at death's door and too unwell to cook. I did a BBQ saturday and spent nearly all of friday evening marinating meat/making salads and 2 home made puddings.

YourKeenMauveJoker · 23/08/2026 20:10

Stopthattractor · 23/08/2026 19:39

What is beige food?

It does sound woeful but I hope you didn't let on.

You're the first person I've met who didn't know what beige food is.

Needmorelego · 23/08/2026 20:10

I can't tell if this thread is a spoof....

ThisStarHere · 23/08/2026 20:09

Bbqdisaster · 23/08/2026 20:06

Fortunately we had some emergency meals stocked from our local farm shop (think along the lines of Charlie Bigham meals you can get in some of the supermarkets).

Show quote history

Thank God you clarified they were a bit like Charlie Bigham meals.

GrumpyPanda · 23/08/2026 20:09

lavendersweetly · 23/08/2026 19:40

Wow, yes, YABU. So unreasonable it's actually quite baffling.
You sound so ungrateful and rude, honestly. Why have you posted this 😂

Your friends invited you into their home out of their kindness of their hearts because they wanted to spend time with you and your children, I hardly think the food or where they purchased it from should matter at all. How would you feel if you invited your friends to your home, only to see this nonsense posted online a few hours later?
Who cares how the food was cooked?
What an awful friend.

Wow, the collective sanctimony on here! OP didn't bitch to her friends - she got a bit hangry and came on here for a lighthearted vent.

Come over to mine, I'll feed you tripe, chicken hearts and grasshopper, and youll have to keep a straight face througb it all..

Original poster
Bbqdisaster · 23/08/2026 20:09

CheeryOP · 23/08/2026 20:06

Don't you like them? Complaining about something like this isn't something a real friend would do.

We know them through our eldest’s football club. We do class them as friends, and we do get along generally.

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 23/08/2026 20:09

Bbqdisaster · 23/08/2026 20:06

Fortunately we had some emergency meals stocked from our local farm shop (think along the lines of Charlie Bigham meals you can get in some of the supermarkets).

Show quote history

So one brand of pre-prepared food is fine but another brand isn't.
I doubt "Charlie Bingham" meals are that much different to Iceland ones.
By the way.... remember the horsemeat scandal a few years ago.
Who was the only supermarket own brand that didn't have to recall their products due to horsemeat? Iceland.
Edit : I double checked. Iceland did have to recall ONE type of discount burgers but all their other own brand products were fine.
Unlike the other major supermarkets who had to recall loads.

ilovesooty · 23/08/2026 20:08

concertinacornflake · 23/08/2026 19:35

I think it's discourteous to moan really.
It may not be your choice of food but they hosted.

Exactly. You were fed at someone else's expense. You were hosted. You sound churlish.

Original poster
Bbqdisaster · 23/08/2026 20:08

samarrange · 23/08/2026 20:06

If the hosts were having problems with "their BBQ" then presumably it's a self-contained gas-powered unit, so unlikely to be throwing off sparks onto the lawn.

Also, the issue might only have been discovered 10 minutes before OP arrived, and the hosts did their best with what was in the freezer.

Although... in that case they would presumably at least have the meat in. I've hosted a couple of BBQs where the weather turned and I just cooked the food indoors (I have a Spanish "plancha" grill pan which is brilliant, just goes on a gas ring and puts a beautiful grill-line finish on meat).

Show quote history

The issue with the BBQ was discovered ‘after work’ on Friday - they were always planning to do the shop on Saturday morning. They just chose once the problem was discovered to go to Iceland as it was the ‘obvious alternative’ in their words.

OP posts:
Dumbledora8 · 23/08/2026 20:06

Bbqdisaster · 23/08/2026 20:06

Fortunately we had some emergency meals stocked from our local farm shop (think along the lines of Charlie Bigham meals you can get in some of the supermarkets).

Show quote history

Snore

CheeryOP · 23/08/2026 20:06

Don't you like them? Complaining about something like this isn't something a real friend would do.

samarrange · 23/08/2026 20:06

YourJoyousDenimExpert · 23/08/2026 20:01

Are people having BBQs? Thought we weren’t at the moment….??

If the hosts were having problems with "their BBQ" then presumably it's a self-contained gas-powered unit, so unlikely to be throwing off sparks onto the lawn.

Also, the issue might only have been discovered 10 minutes before OP arrived, and the hosts did their best with what was in the freezer.

Although... in that case they would presumably at least have the meat in. I've hosted a couple of BBQs where the weather turned and I just cooked the food indoors (I have a Spanish "plancha" grill pan which is brilliant, just goes on a gas ring and puts a beautiful grill-line finish on meat).

Dumbledora8 · 23/08/2026 20:06

TicklishReader · 23/08/2026 20:03

It wouldn't have bothered me, but I like my friends.

And you probably aren't up your own arse

Original poster
Bbqdisaster · 23/08/2026 20:06

DarkchocolateAndtea · 23/08/2026 20:03

Maybe perhaps not in uk? Op could have always dropped by a posh steakhouse on the way home. I bet you could have cut the tension with a knife, and they won't be reinviting.

Show quote history

Fortunately we had some emergency meals stocked from our local farm shop (think along the lines of Charlie Bigham meals you can get in some of the supermarkets).

OP posts:
DarkForces · 23/08/2026 20:06

Opus3 · 23/08/2026 20:05

What did you contribute OP?

A side of judgment and bitterness

Cherrytree86 · 23/08/2026 20:06

I hope you’re ok, OP… it’s not what would be expected, quite a curveball for you and your family

Opus3 · 23/08/2026 20:05

What did you contribute OP?

OhNoooooooooooooooo · 23/08/2026 20:04

YourJoyousDenimExpert · 23/08/2026 20:01

Are people having BBQs? Thought we weren’t at the moment….??

Why wouldn't you? They're not banned.

OhNoooooooooooooooo · 23/08/2026 20:04

Bbqdisaster · 23/08/2026 19:52

Yes - well I’d have suggested some alternative options first.

Show quote history

Brutal. You'd not see your friends?

I think they'd be better off with out you tbh