Garden supper this evening. Would it be reasonable to suggest that guests might leave the table for the football?

[LemonRoses]

We have a ten people arriving for supper this evening. We plan to eat on the terrace, with a 7pm start to catch the last of any sunshine. Clearly if they arrive at 7.15, have drinks and warm spiced nuts/olives then sit down to a starter of crab, we’re not going to be serving the entree until well past 8pm.

I don’t know two of the couples. My guess would be that three, maybe four, of the men would want to see the match. I don’t think most of the women would be particularly interested.

My problem is I wasn’t aware there was a football match this evening and I rather suspect some guests will want to see it.

Do we;

• open the doors so people can pop in and out?
• suggest those that wish cut their food at table and then eat of their knees with a fork whilst watching the television?
• suggest we watch together later?
• not mention to football and hope nobody else does?
• arrange regular update messages from someone who is watching?

If a match is at 8pm, what time will it finish? Should we defer eating until after the match but add in more substantial canapés?

An entree is a starter

An entree is a main course

It depends, DH is French & I would think starter.

Can you make it more of a relaxed buffet where people can just serve themselves and watch the football if they want to?

Where do you live where it isn't raining?

It freezing & drizzling in London

I can't believe the OP even has a telly, dreadfully uncouth!

[quote merrymouse]**@merrymouse the op's meal doesn't sound very informal!

It’s all relative - however she seems happy for it to be eaten on laps in front of the tv, which for me is very much ‘supper’![/quote]
I know. I was being lighthearted in my supper commentary by the way. 😁

I do warm, roasted salted almonds when I do tapas

Thanks to this thread I now know that i should activate my nuts.

The amount of posters who simply cannot comprehend that an OP may not be in England is astounding.

I'm sure she is, recognise the user name. Always all over the high salaries, how to be posh threads.

An entree is not a main unless you are american. I've only ever heard it used in france or the UK as the course before the main (which the french would call "plat" I think)

An Entree is the course before the main course (typically, that would a starter). So, it's not strictly the starter, but the only prior to main (commonly the same thing).

However, in the US, for historical reasons, the Entree stuck with being the main.

Blame the French, I doubt they even have a term for such a faux pas! ;-)

Wow, this puts my pie and pea supper to shame!

Washed down with Adgestone's Something Blue,

This is excellent choice, I love it!

@minniebin

The amount of posters who simply cannot comprehend that an OP may not be in England is astounding.

I'm sure she is, recognise the user name. Always all over the high salaries, how to be posh threads.

Isle if Wight themed also seems oddly specific if not in U.K.

Any good host would have checked if there were any clashing national events and catered her evening accordingly.

Honestly

@merrymouse yes that too

I rename dinner supper whenever It's late. And skip half the vegetables and dessert too. I don't think anyone's noticed.......

@TanquerayTickles

Any good host would have checked if there were any clashing national events and catered her evening accordingly.

Honestly

Any posh host will consider her party to BE a national event!

Isle if Wight themed also seems oddly specific if not in U.K.

I believe the OP has a second home there. Allegedly. It might be a 5 star hotel.

Any good host would know what an entree is

I'm out of my depth.
Just make sure you take your undercrackers off the washing line before the guests arrive.
That's all I've got.

Nobody who writes 'there was a football match happening' (for a future event), or 'eat of their knees' (sic), isn't posh.

Will 'staff' be expected to stay on if dinner is delayed ?

I suspect you won't be having England bunting on the terrace

Cracking thread. Such jolly bad luck about the entrée detail. It could have run and run. Perhaps it still will.

@CallMeNutribullet

Do you happen to have an Aga op?

There's nowt wrong with an Aga lass.

Also highly suitable for warming the nuts on a winters day...

I've created a simple guide to Entrees!