I hate the food on holiday

[pandarific]

Gutted. We’re at a villa in Greece with PIL, I’m pregnant. This villa (organised by PIL) comes with a ‘chef’, who you give money at the start of the week and they cook breakfast lunch and dinner.

It’s run by an English lady, who manages the chef - all we got asked was ‘are there any vegetarians?’ and one person has said they don’t like fish - ‘oh okay, good you said as we have fish three times this week.’

My problem is... The food is cooked fine, but it’s very, very plain and the same thing over and over. I can’t have a bloody drink, I LOVE food anyway so was really, really looking forward to nice food on holiday. Varied, interesting, with nice desserts, stuff I wouldnt have at home - holiday food, iyswim? I could honestly cry.

For lunch yesterday it was spinach and feta pie, plain tomato onion olive pepper and cucumber salad, a loaf of bread and a slab of feta. Fine - bit dull, but fine.

For dinner yesterday it was plain cooked chicken (no sauce of any kind) cooked potatoes and the same salad. A loaf of bread, a slab of feta cheese. An odd orange cake for after which was strangely wet inside and not very nice. ...again a bit dull, but fine.

For breakfast, it’s been eggs, a loaf of bread, Greek yoghurt, jam, cut up fruit. Oh or cornflakes. (Three large packets of cereal, all bloody cornflakes. WTF?)

For lunch today, it was the chicken from yesterday, the spinach pie from yesterday, a slab of feta, a loaf of bread, and salad.

We have just had dinner. I had a word with myself beforehand as I’m beginning to get severely grumpy and struggling to hide my rage, and everyone else, DH included, seems to be delighted with it. I was thinking I shouldn’t pre-judge it, I’m sure she’ll do something different, etc etc. Can you guess where I’m going with this?

Plain grilled chicken or plain grilled pork (), no sauce of any kind, the same salad, a slab of feta, a loaf of bread, the spinach pie again. Nothing for after.

I am fucking gutted. I KNOW I am putting too much importance on this, but I can’t have anything to drink, I’m pretty bloody food focused anyway and now I’m pregnant I’m dying for nice, interesting food to relieve some of the massive fucking boredom of being pregnant, and I was SO looking forward to this. Idk if I was stupid to expect something better, I’ve never been on a holiday like this before, wasn’t . No shops open at the min as it’s a public holiday - I have privately moaned to DH and he’s said we can go to the supermarket .

If I see that fucking salad again I may scream. Please Mumsnet, I know IABU - hand me a grip someone?

I don’t think you are being unreasonable. It’s not as if you have kicked off and you have made it clear that you are being paid for.

I love my food and half the fun of going away is to get to eat new and delicious things. With so many great Greek dishes it is a shame to have the same simple things every day. Those who think it great but like plain food but we don’t all.

Echo the suggestions of others of going for a meal or two out so you can get some variety. Sympathy for not being able to drink though it!

I'm afraid this is why I'm always put off going to Greece on holiday. This is Greek food, isn't it? Something grilled, some salad, some bread. Every single meal.

squeaver how can you say that when on this very thread, several people have listed many Greek dishes that are so obviously NOT what your assertion that Greek food is?

Tatiana I was defining the term Being a princess (having strops and demanding your own way) in response to a poster saying you're allowed to be a princess when you're pregnant

To be fair, OP's first post was pretty damn stroppy in my book.
I agree with whoever pointed out that the pils and their son appear to love the food so OP really has to plaster on a smile and eat up for the sake of everyone else.
It's a bit disappointing that's all.

Get a grip.....a first world problem.....!

So, for two main meals you’ve had chicken and pork. For two lunches, you’ve had Greek cheese, Greek bread and a spinach pie. It’s literally two days in and you haven’t asked what you’ll have over the next few days? How do you know you’re going to have the same food again ana again?

Ask if she can do some typical Greek specialities. They are probably used to fussy English families who don’t like ‘forrin’.

What OP has is a slightly shit cook. Worlds away from a ‘chef’.

Somebody who cooks all your dishes on a nice holiday so you don't have to do any and can just sunbathe or whatever and you rock up for eating time?.
Chef in my book.

Do you mean that because one person doesn't eat fish, none of you are having fish?

OP, I am so with you. Your breakfasts sound ok, but the lunches and dinners are dire. As somebody said before, you don't have a chef, you have a rather lazy cook. It probably takes this person about 30 minutes to knock out each meal. Greece has fantastic food, you don't even need to go to a fancy restaurant for that. Some of the most brilliant food I had was in very cheap and simple cafes (one where you pick from trays of ready food at the counter), loads of different veg, flavour, sauces, etc. I do hope you find a way out.

Tell someone you aren't happy. It might not go down well, but at least they will know, and you know you tried.

Happypuppy your fried cheese in honey would have been halloumi. It's , called saganaki and very nice it is too. .

Talk to them about what you would like - go into the kitchen and talk to the cook, ask him what his granny used to make, etc..

This thread has got me craving (good) Greek food.

Ask if she can do some typical Greek specialities. They are probably used to fussy English families who don’t like ‘forrin’.

But since OP says everyone else likes the food, they may well be right that the group as a whole would prefer this plain stuff - and so if OP goes and tells them to make the food she likes instead she'll then be imposing her preferences on the whole group without asking them first - how is that ok?

I'm curious to what exactly your DP said when you privately moaned to him - did he say he actively liked the food, or just that he didn't want to say anything about it?

I'd be upset too OP! Completely get where you're coming from.

In a way good Greek food is quite plain, but with very strong flavours....got me going here too...

It's a national holiday though and you have just arrived. You may find it changes drastically. They would only serve fish if bought that morning.

I'm a total 'foodie' thanks and salad, grilled meat/cold chicken or spinach pie, bread and cheese sounds perfect for hot weather. What is this obsession about 'sauces' just use olive oil. I live in Southern Spain, we use olive oil, there are no 'sauces'

Just go to a supermarket tomorrow and get your 'nibbles' (worst word in world)

Laughing over here in Athens at the ‘Greek food is plain’ commentary.

OP, staying in a villa to eat every meal is your mistake. I am pretty certain the chef is playing it safe given the reputation the British have where food is concerned.

Greek cuisine is among the best in the world. Varied and always using the freshest of local ingredients. Don’t miss out.

Ps the orange cake was portokalopita. It’s soaked in syrupy orange juice and supposed to be very moist. Get to a local bakery and see just how many different kinds of baked good there are.

Honestly, go out. Go to the nearest taverna. Look where the Greeks are eating and go there.

If I was to eat that I would be very constipated, and being pregnant you are more likely to be too.

I would have to say something, a lot of Greek food isn't dry.

" Laughing over here in Athens at the ‘Greek food is plain’ commentary. "

well maybe I have a different idea of the word 'plain' - it is pretty simple. is that better? Strong flavours, of course. I have also lived in Greece..:)

@pandarific Honestly I don't blame you OP! Sounds like a boring food situation, I know I definitely look forward to eating different foods/decadent treat foods when on holiday, it's sort of part of the holiday idea in a way! Add on your pregnancy (in which you probably crave different foods and variety) I completely get where you're coming from. It's unfortunate the PIL's made the private chef decision, it's not really accommodating for everyone?

Of course you're grateful to be on a paid holiday (i would be too!) but for some of us foodies- the food options matter!😅

I would call German food (but not German cakes!) and traditional British food (think Sunday roast) plain. But definitely not Greek food. Greek food is not loaded with spice but it's definitely not plain.

*You sound so unpleasant
So many bits of your OP

It’s probably too late, but a little bit of self reflection before your child arrives would be a good thing. For yourself and your child.*

Highhorse81, don't do that please.

am pretty certain the chef is playing it safe given the reputation the British have where food is concerned

No I think they’re doing cheap unsophisticated food to a budget and I’d be concerned the OP’s party are getting their money’s worth.

We provide a chef for tenants of our house abroad to book and people expect good quality national cuisine and local specialities.

I’ve never heard of anyone have such poor food from a ‘chef’ on any holdiay, ever tbh.

It doesn’t sound as if OP’s party has been given a menu (unless the PIL chose from it without asking what OP and DH would like). You should be able to choose your daily menu and make requests.

the most amazing food I have eaten in Greece..
Lovely Greek Salad with a big chunk of feta with oregano.
Stuffed tomatoes
A huge piece of pork done on the barbecue
Pitta Gyros
chicken and potatoes in the oven
Youvetsi (tiny pasta dish)
Chick pea soup...
a salad of flat parsley and red onion
Halva melted with cinnamon over it..

lots of other lovely things...

all kinds of other lovely things..