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?

He did the inviting so he does the cooking. It’s simply not your problem or responsibility.

I could keep it simple but I can't even be bothered doing that (I know that sounds awful). I've met some of them, but not the wives /girlfriends. We do have a separate dining room. Normally I would make an effort but Im feeling quite anti-social and I'm tired of the shopping element as well.

If they all bring partners it's about 12 guests. DH thinks it makes no difference if it's 6 or 12, but he hasn't got a clue.

Not weird at all. I’ve been to friends who have had professional caterers. The hosts were able to relax and enjoy the party with their guests.

I say if you can afford it then go ahead, and enjoy your evening.

If you've got the money, then go for it! As a guest it wouldn't throw me at all. You've provided a lovely dinner and I would not care how it got there.

(Some of my family, at the cheaper end of this spectrum, do this for big family events held at home. They are amazing cooks themselves, and provide all the vegetarian food, but get a local caterer to supply the meat courses for the meat-eaters.)

YANBU. They are great for children's parties/other events when you have more important things to do than constantly go back and forth from the kitchrn

Nope not rude at all. We’ve had caterers when we’ve been at a holiday let and I wish I could do it all the time. Bloody brilliant!

Never quite got the whole dinner party culture and thankfully having lived overseas for many years never had to do much of it because in the expat world we just go out to restaurants for our dinner. Now a good BBQ on the other hand...different story. Like pp just go out for dinner, have somebody else cook for you and soak pp the atmosphere. Why stress having to provide dinner for other people wether you decide to cook or get other people in to do it? Just do not get it.

By the sounds of it it seems like the time your husband did a stint of organising one of these things tbh.

I have been to a few catered dinner parties. Always felt very treated and think it’s nice that the host can focus on spending time with their guests have never been able to justify the expense myself though

Crumbs The brown bread, is that hovis or Tesco value?

I probably wouldn't get caterers in for fewer than 20 people, but I wouldn't think twice about using a Cook main course and a cold first course and pudding. Order in or send him out with a list. I get why you're annoyed though, he shouldn't invite people over without checking with you first even if he's an amazing cook and planning to do it all himself.

Now DH has asked people over next weekend and I can't be bothered.

Why should you have to be bothered when it wasn't you who issued the invitation?

Just going to suggest Cook. A good friend who is cash rich and time poor often goes down that route. The food is fine so why not?

Done it before its so easy and a fantastic way of doing it.

I could keep it simple

so keep it really simple and leave it to him to sort?

I wonder if caterers would even bother coming out if it's only 14 people?

We do have Cook very locally, but DH says people know if it's Cook!

It's fine, that's what caterers are for.

Cook is your friend! I've got 12 coming on 27th December, Cook lasagne all the way!

Your dh is all mouth and no action isnt he?

Yes, caterers would come for 14 people. How many servers you'd need is what varies depending on the numbers.

We've done it before.

Tentacle - he has a habit of asking people over "for Thai" or "for a tagine" and he has no clue whatsoever about cooking. I don't mind so much if it's mutual friends, but if it's his work people, sports team, cycling fraternity or you name it gets a bit much.

If people have invited me round for a meal i am pleased with anything. Yes I might know if it was Cook ( not necessarily as I don't get out much.) Is he not bothered that 'people will know' he treats his wife like a caterer? Is he incapable of phoning a caterer himself, or even - gasp - cooking?

I think Cook sell empty dishes to decant their food into before heating.
My brother did that for a dinner party. Everyone thought the food was home cooked.

Never thought of it in my own house but what a great idea.

I very rarely like the idea of people coming to my house but can't deal with the hassle and stress of it all. This seems like a good idea