Friend can't cook

[ninaaa]

My friend has invited DH and I over for dinner.

Whenever DH and I have visited for dinner, the meal has been dried out from being in the oven too long, and tasted very bland, she doesn’t appear to season her food. We have always told her it was lovely as we didn’t want to hurt her feelings. She has been over to ours for dinner recently, and now wants to return the invitation.

I have considered suggesting going to a restaurant or getting takeaway instead, but I don’t want to offend her. I’ve also thought of suggesting I bring a dish, then I know at least one part of the meal will taste nice, but again, I don’t want to offend her.

What would you do?

What would you do?

I'd eat my dinner and say 'thank you'.

She's made the effort.

I would just go, eat what she gives you, say it's delicious and thank her.

I would accept her kind offer and attempt to eat what she gave me.

I would just go, eat what she gives you, say it's delicious and thank her.

To be fair, that's what I've done for every other invitation.

And the food really isn't very nice!

It's one night.

Wow. Just wow.

Be kind and just say thank you.

So will it kill you to do it again?

What everyone else said. Where are your manners OP???

Take plenty of wine, then you won't mind the food so much.

Perhaps she doesn't like what you cook either.

wow it took only three posts for someone to start name calling!
OP can you suggest cooking together? Make it a part of the evening. I really enjoy cooking with friends, that way you could maybe steer her in the right direction in becoming a better cook

Surely the whole point of the evening is to spend it with someone you like? The meal is just something to eat while you're spending time with your friend. Just eat it and thank her.

Just go and be grateful. I'm sure you will survive without bringing a your own 'nice' dish

She obviously need the practice, then. Please don't suggest takeaway - she wants to show her appreciation of the nice food you cooked her by returning the favour. Even if it is truly dreadful, it's only one meal!

So will it kill you to do it again?

Only if I get food poisoning!

To be fair, she has never given us food poisoning yet...

The wine is a good idea

I totally feel your pain but think suggesting a takeaway is the only potential way out of it. If she says no you're going to have to do the polite thing and just pretend you like it.

So what has she cooked you so far? nosey

How do you know she doesn't think the same about your cooking? She might just be being polite - as you should be.

Or you could just be honest and tell her to her face that the food is shite? I mean why spare her feelings?
Here have a

Suck it up - I wouldn't be offended though if you suggested bringing dessert or a cheese board/fruit

Is there not S&P on the table. I never cook with salt just habit although I use other flavours.

Shes probably a good cook that goes tits up when she has visitors.... happens to us all!!

I'd just be polite about it. Say thanks. Find something positive to say about it.

Not every meal has to be delicious. As long as you can eat it, it's fine. Eating socially is about the company. If you say anything, you'll just make her feel bad and what's the point over something trivial like the taste of something?

Used have this with a friend. She used do the cooking day before and heat up in microwave. Then her husband took turns and got a takeaway
Moved abroad for 10 years and now meet in restaurants!