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?

This is because of the ‘what time would you arrive if you were invited to dinner at 7pm’ thread isn’t it.

@Planesmistakenforstars

Why are you only serving crab and then another entree? Are you not even serving a main course?

I don’t understand the question, sorry.

@LemonRoses

Summerfruit cheesecake sundae or affogato.

Or broken up Sara Lee frozen cheesecake in a wine glass with squirty cream and strawberry sauce or vanilla ice cream with gold blend on top.

People will definitely want to watch the football. Maybe even the women
I would put the telly on and let people choose so that they feel comfortable to do what they like.

Don’t mention the football unless one of the guests does, then say, of course, you’re welcome to watch in the sitting room. Then any desperate fans can enjoy the game or otherwise, and the rest of you can have a nice time.

I don’t understand the question, sorry.

An entree is a starter, but you are already serving crab as a starter. So you aren't serving a main course, which makes you very unreasonable.

@RosieLemonade

Cherry Pavlova for dessert?

my thoughts exactly. Sheep in fairy lights as the sun sets?

I can't go back to find out who it was but the Arctic Roll and the RS Archer posts made me laugh.

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

No helpful advice but I love the level of detail Tell me more OP. How will the crab be dressed? Will there be a garnish?

Ha ha, that's what I thought. Very disappointed not to know what the entree is though

They’re using it in the American sense while trying to sound very U.

Hot nuts are fancy to me! I think eating on a sunny terrace sounds fab, can I come?!

@sashh

Record the match.

Ask if people are interested in the football, if they are then serve the starter and main then have a break and put the football on from the start, you can wind through half time.

The normal length of the game is 90 mins but then there might be extra time or penalties.

Serve the oud after the game.

You are not a footy fan nor even someone who just gets interested during tournaments are you?

Record the match??? Are you on glue???

No one ever manages that AND to watch it without hearing all the neighbours screaming or getting pinged on their phone.

You have to go into lockdown in the middle of the wilderness without mobile reception to avoid knowing what the score was.

I genuinely think the OP should just cancel to please the maximum number of people possible anyway.

Her guests will be happy at being able to watch the football without feeling impolite, there is no risk of them getting soggy, the OP herself isn't going to be gutted by rude guests and drenched crab on her concrete paving slabs, there is no increased risk of spreading covid and everyone on MN howling about Hyacinth will be over the moon!

Problem solved without anyone getting upset.

Everyone's a winner.

Job done.

@3catsandcounting

Missing the point here, but Brazil nuts, pecans, almonds, and cashews flash-fried in a wok in butter and cayenne pepper and maple syrup are fab! 😬

This sounds wonderful! I use a recipe by Liz Earle. Mixed nuts with lime juice, salt, pepper, paprika, chipotle chilli, baked for ten mins on 180. Beautiful.

I think it is sensible to assume some will want to watch. It will for between 105 minutes and approx 150 minutes depending on the score.

However, it will also be a bit of a party killer and create a divide (not necessarily an unpleasant one).

My advice would be to embrace it. It is more favourable than not acknowledging it.

@Planesmistakenforstars

Why are you only serving crab and then another entree? Are you not even serving a main course?

@Planesmistakenforstars

The entree is the main course. Not the starter.
The main dish of a meal is called the entree. So she is serving the starter and then the main meal (the entree).

[quote Fiddliestofsticks]@Planesmistakenforstars

The entree is the main course. Not the starter.
The main dish of a meal is called the entree. So she is serving the starter and then the main meal (the entree).[/quote]
It perfectly highlights another oddity between British English and American English though!

Is warm nuts a thing?

@ClosdesMouches

How is that comment funny? It's wrong. And entree is the main course, not the starter. The OP used the words correctly. Planesmistakenforstars did not.

[quote Fiddliestofsticks]@Planesmistakenforstars

The entree is the main course. Not the starter.
The main dish of a meal is called the entree. So she is serving the starter and then the main meal (the entree).[/quote]
I always thought it was the American way to call it the main. French it’s still the starter.

I wouldn't mention it. I've had friends and family over for dinner when there has been a big match on. Sometimes they put their phone on the table to watch it or sometimes they watch it on the TV. It really doesn't bother me but then I'm quite laid back and informal.

@Ellmau

Don’t mention the football unless one of the guests does, then say, of course, you’re welcome to watch in the sitting room. Then any desperate fans can enjoy the game or otherwise, and the rest of you can have a nice time.

Surely you mean the drawing room? Or the morning room?

Is warm nuts a thing?

Warm nuts = plane food but delicious

@TheRosesOfSuccess

Bovril and Pukka pies are indeed the way to go. As for vegetable sides, you could offer chip cobs with tomato ketchup.

"cobs" - I love the idea of introducing regional cuisine too; marvellous suggestion.

I imagine they might wash it down with some "Newky Brown" too (or I may be guilty of conflating everything north of Cambridge as it does all rather blend into one).

I’m very amused by the idea of changing the menu to “football food” such as crisps and hot dogs. I do hope the dress code will also be altered accordingly.

I would ask if they want to come earlier and sit down for dinner at 6pm.