To use caterers in my own home?

[thatsenoughalready]

Can I ask, do people think it's bit rude to use caterers if you're hosting a dinner party at home? I've done quite a few dinner parties recently and another one tomorrow night. Now DH has asked people over next weekend and I can't be bothered. Would it be odd?

Never done it. Totally would! YANBU

Nope. Nothing wrong at all with actually being able to enjoy your own party rather than having the stress of hosting and cooking and serving and cleaning.

Can't you just go to Waitrose, buy some premade stuff and put it on baking trays / in dishes that make it look like you made it yourself?

Personally I don't see a problem.

Not odd, totally fine. Takes the pressure off.

DH invited them. Therefore he does the prep, cooking and tidying up afterwards. Simples.

Other than that, yeah use them, on the presumption money is not a problem.

I went to someone's house a while back and they had people from a Thai restaurant who prepared and served the food while she just chilled with us.
On the other hand, I wonder if you're going to do that, why not just take people to the restaurant itself. Do people come to your house expecting home/cooked food and an effort to have been made? Or don't they care?

One of my (more senior so better off) work colleagues always gets our office restaurant chef (who is classically trained) to cater his dinner parties. If I could comfortably afford it then I 100% would now and will absolutely do so in the future. Apart from being slightly dearer I don’t see that it’s really any different to buying it all from Cook or Waitrose (and I wouldn’t judge you for that and have done that myself in the past) and will be more personal and means you can properly relax. Do it!

It’s not your problem or responsibility if your DH has done the inviting.

I work for a caterer and we do dinner parties every weekend in people's homes. It's totally normal and totally fine. Nice for guests to have a host whose relaxed and who they actually get to talk to.

I've done this as a birthday meal for DH with friends. Was perfect, delicious food without the fuss and all the cleaning up done!

Definitely not unreasonable.

It’s great IF you have a separate dining room. It is a bit weird having strangers in the kitchen if the dining table is only a few feet away.

I’ve done it before but only with close friends. With people you don’t know so well it could feel a bit formal.

I used to do this a lot when I was working - it's fine.

Thanks - it's his friends anyway so I might get caterers in and leave them to it.

Me and dh have done it a few times for dinner parties. Neither of us wanted to cook for 15 people so we paid someone else to do it and we got to enjoy the evening 😃

Totally do it. Why is it different from hiring a cleaner or a nanny?

I've done this for big gatherings. It's fine.

I should have said: totally do it provided they are expensive.
You would regret the cheap kind.

If you’ve a special occasion home caterers are a good idea. If you can afford it, go for it. Otherwise do simple but lovely - Foreman and Field smoked salmon with brown bread and butter, Merchant Gourmand miniature figs in syrup with mascarpone then you only have to do a main. Something like lamb shanks that can be popped into oven to do themselves with ready made mashed potatoe. Easy.

Nothing wrong with it at all. You're boosting the local economy by hiring someone to do some work for you: just don't expect them to bow and curtsey when they dish up the food ;)

It’s perfectly acceptable. Smart dinners are something I have outsourced in the past.

Supper with friends, no, but then we are very casual and last minute so no one expects more than prawn curry, lasagne, roast meat with dauphinois and veg etc.

I have friends who do this, and as a student, many moons ago, I was asked to do it, but I think the answer is in how many guests.

I personally cater easily and often up to 11 or 12, but i get that’s a lot, but if you were catering for something like six people, I’d find it strange. I’d not comment but simply think you couldn’t cook.