Is it normal to pre-order food at a friend's barbecue?

[JohnnieFedora]

I went to a friend's house last weekend for a BBQ and it was the strangest set upnjbe ever known.

You had to let host know what you wanted cooked for you... So you had to say "1 burger, 3 skewers" that kind of thing
They cooked exactly and only what was ordered and have it to you on a plate.

Never ever seen this before! I know it's not normal... Bit so bizarre!

Never been to a bbq like that before, maybe its to cut down on food waste

Well it’s unusual but quite sensible. Saves wasted food and money. Wouldn’t have a problem with it.

Definitely not normal.
Were you allowed to change your mind or ask for more?

Yeah, but sometimes you fancy a kofta or something and didn't order one

Or you get peckish and have another skewer

I've been to bbqs like this, very normal with the people i know - its to cut down on food waste where possible, have also been at ones where they do a rough count then chuck a couple more on in case anyone wants more. But then generally the bbqs we go to we all discuss roughly what we'll all bring beforehand too, to co-ordinate (and i guess also for food waste reasons?) So funny how much it differs!

I think it’s a good idea.

It makes so much sense!

Wierd. I get food waste but surely a bbq isnt like pre ordering your school dinner. Even when its just us at home you put on a bit of everything. Winter is long.

It's a good idea as long as they chuck on a few extra in case people are hungry

How do you know how hungry you’ll be days in advance? It doesn’t sound very hospitable to me. Most people would state less than they’d actually want to eat if asked, because they wouldn’t want to look greedy. You wouldn’t say “I’ll have one of everything, and a few extra chicken legs, thank you”.

That's a really good idea! There's always so much left over food at a bbq. Could you ask for more if you were hungry later on?

Who said anything about ordering days in advance?

Your friend put on an a bbq and you were invited. She bought food, drink, cooked it, had you over

and here you are bitching about her

Oh I read it too quick, I thought OP had been asked already to put her order in for a barbecue at the weekend!

I read it like this too.

How far in advance did you have to order? I’ve been to bbq’s where before putting the sausages on someone asks who wants a sausage? But never where you have to order prior to arrival. I mean I can see why it’s helpful from a waste point of view but I always think being a good host is about being generous and accommodating, which seems to lose it’s effect when so manufactured in advance.

You had food cooked to order - what's wrong with that?

I think that's really weird!

We buy more tbh an enough if we everything but just try to cook what people want at the time and extra goes in the fridge for the next day or in the freezer

We had a bbq at the weekend, as we were beginning to cook we asked what people wanted but there were spare and extras if people changed their mind/wanted something different. I have so much food left over and everyone seemed happy

Eating the leftovers the next day for lunch is one of the best things about having a barbecue! I’ve never known a barbecue to be wasteful

It’s not the most common way. I’d dislike it as I eat a lot and would probably order less so I’m not shamed 😂

How much food did you contribute?

I think it’s sensible
nothing worse than loads of wasted food

It is not such a daft idea. Especially if you have some friends who are, for example, pescetarian or vegetarion.

Nothing, but I brought the drinks along. So couple of bottles of prosecco, 24 beers, box of 10 rekordalig and the Pimm's :)