Guests and rotating what you serve

[baabaamoomooneigh]

A colleague of mine keeps a notebook in her kitchen drawer, specifically to note down details of what she has served to guests. Eg "sept 2018, bob and Jill for dinner, lasagne then cheesecake"

This is so she doesn't serve the same people the same thing the next time they come for dinner.

AIBU not to do this? Am I a bad host for not caring about these details? I would never think to ensure I offer a different meal next time. Does she have too much time on her hands?

I think it’s a good idea and think we should do it. It’s hard to remember what you cooked people the previous times.

I think its a good idea. I've definitely cooked people the same thing twice before!

My mum has done this ever since she accidentally cooked an identical menu for the same guests on consecutive visits as a newlywed. She said she realised half way through the main course and never wanted to have that realisation again.

I do it mentally but don’t actually write it down.

I do that too. If anything it saves me time as I don't waste any trying to remember what I could possibly have done.

It's especially useful when have guests with some food allergy and you find quickly what easy recipe you have done before.

I tend to make a little mark that means either "make again" or "too flipping fussy don't bother".

It's more for me than for my guests. If it's my little sister who comes nearly once a week, no I don't write the menu down.

I do this when entertaining for DH work related things. Though one set of couples always request the same dish I made the first time they came which is lovely and easy! They only come once or twice a year.
I don’t note it down for friends or family though.

Errrr, no.

I see the value if you entertain a lot, but we mostly take people out for a meal (big birthdays and anniversaries, where i want to enjoy the occasion, too) or more informally go out together for a meal.

When we do entertain at home, it will be my current party piece, unless say they don't eat meat etc. In which case i will adapt. Inviting people for roughly the same menu several years apart is fine. A few weeks apart and yes, maybe keep track,

My favourite way to 'entertain' is to have drinks at hours (and maybe notice the hungry ones worried at the lack of signs of food coming from the kitchen) then out to a restaurant 100yds away, and back to ours for coffee. Ideal, welcoming people to our home with no cooking or washing up. Bliss.

I don’t have dinner parties but I do think that’s actually a very good idea! I’m too scatter brained but good on her

I have one friend who famously only has two recipes, so you always know you're going to get one of those. And they are both delicious and nobody cares. Life's way too short.

I am pretty sure DH and I would care if we only had a choice of 2 recipes when we have people over for diner! The guests might not even notice, but we would

“Life’s too short”

To care whether other people are judging you for giving them the same food each time they come round, yes I think so. But to write down a meal plan (because I am forgetful and it helps with the shopping list) and refer back to it for ideas? I don’t think so really

No I don't write anything down. Although I do sometimes get a request for stuff that I have previously cooked even if it was only a week ago.
They know whatever I serve it will be great but it's more about spending time together.

Wish I could be that organised. I'd also keep associated dis/likes and allergy info.

In defence of my mum, they hosted a dinner party probably once every 3 or 4 weeks, plus regular safari suppers with two other local couples. Mum loved trying out new dishes and would spend hours poring over recipe books and making notes.

Whatever can be served at the same time to everybody so anything out of the oven/slow cooker.Can’t faff with frying stuff in batches.

Id totally do this

If I didn’t hate entertaining and pretty much Never have guests.

No. Although, as with others I keep a vague mental note. This is mainly because I don't wish to become a running joke the way a friend of my parent's has. They feel put of toych for about ten years then invited her over and, on a reciprocal invitation, said 'I wonder I if it'll be the usual'

Turns out it was. This woman had the same 'guest menu' she'd been trotting out for the last forty years and every course was the same every time including something my father recalls with a grimace as being a stilton soup.

So as long as you change it up every decade you'll probably be ok. Oh. And steer clear of the stilton soup. Obvs.

i only ever have guests over for Christmas dinner. Keeps it nice and easy. Same menu, same place settings, same people.

*fell out of touch

I used to have a colleague like this. She had a china breakfast set too.
Quite bonkers in a lovely way. She knew she was a bit too fussy.

I only make 2 things; a smoked fish pie thing or steak and dauphinois potatoes. If you’re not keen on either then I won’t be cooking your dinner 😀

I have a friend who, every time I go round to theirs, they serve me pizza and wedges. Every. Time. It's not even good pizza from the fresh counter, it's just frozen pizzas. What gets me most is that I've cooked her a fair few 'proper' meals when she's been round to mine and I still get that. I know she can cook as well as she tells me the meals she cooks for herself and other people. I just apparently don't warrant the effort.

It’s old fashioned but pretty practical if you entertain regularly.

I keep a note of what we fed people, what particular guests did or didn’t like/dietary preferences etc.

It takes two minutes and helps ensure everyone enjoys their meal. it’s no big deal.

I like it!

It takes 1 minute to right down, it's hardly worth your 'too much time' comment - which oozes contempt and doesn't paint you in the best of lights. I expect you were 'only joking' though right?

I expect she does it to prevent people saying 'oh God had fucking lasagne AGAIN at Bonnie and Clyde's house. Doesn't she know how to cook anything else?'

Actually that's not a bad idea!

My DH has relatives who have a book which allows you to list what meal was served and includes little printed diagrams so that you can record who sat where at the table. It's a proper book, designed for just this purpose - definitely not something they made themselves.