To not cater for this

[Just1moreq]

I'm cooking for 10 tonight. 5 couples, in the group there is someone who has a nut allergy and someone who has cealiocs (I've never figured the spelling) one of the pairs have just called to say that they are doing vegan weekends to reduce their carbon impact.... They are just checking that somethung tonight will be suitable... I've said it wont but that they are more than welcome to bring stuff. ... Am I being an unreasonable arse?

Well surely if Op is buying & cooking the food that has already reduced their carbon impact?

Exactly. That would actually have been a great response to their message, actually. But I wouldn't have been quick enough to think of it.

Reading OP went like...
Uhhuh
Uhhuh
fuck that

🤣🤣

So........ Tex Mex
What are you cooking ( asking for a friend , obvs)

This is so rude.

What I would expect a polite friend to do is shift their vegan weekend by one day.

Letting you know on the day of the meal is inconsiderate and unreasonable. I hope one of your other guests asks them why they didn't just swap days.

I think I’d reply “that’s fine, I’ll text when you we’ve finished eating so you don’t turn up while there’s still non vegan food on the table” …

and then not bother texting.

If they question it just tell them you were picking at the leftovers all evening and didn’t want to upset them by exposing them to non vegan food on a weekend day. Twats.

I’d happily try to cater for everyone and factor in special diets, as OP has, but you can’t just expect your host to change everything on the day - they’ll already have bought ingredients etc.

Where’s the thought and compassion for friends throwing a curve ball in at the last minute??

If they were vegan then I would say YABU. But they're not. They have vegan food two days a week. They can have vegan food Monday and Tuesday this week.

YANBU it’s too late notice.

if it’s to reduce carbon footprint perhaps they could do double the number of nights when they are catering for themselves or maybe not drive and cycle/take the train instead.

Nothing exciting, chilli, nachos, cornbread and enchaladas ( found a gf old. El passo thing) and then chilli chocolate brownie sundae bar thing for puds. And cocktails.

This response makes you sound entitled in the same way the short-notice demanding dinner guest is entitled.

Agree it’s the notice time that’s unreasonable and ridiculous, plus the fact that it’s not even for people who are truly vegan!

Funnily enough I did Tex Mex when I last hosted. And I have two veggie friends and one who is vegan.
I did it buffet style. Wraps and Tacos suitable for all. A big dish full of frajita chicken , and a vegan version to cover the 3 separately, then had bowls of cheese (vegan and non) and a whole mix of toppings, salsa, sour creams etc, some suitable for all some not. Plus Nachos covered in beef chilli and nachos covered in salsa. Salad easy for all.
Big difference - I knew the dietary requirements in advance and these friends have followed them for YEARS!!!

OP is not unreasonable or insensitive or anything. You can’t call the same day and expect catering to be changed.

With a bit of notice, Mexican food could easily include vegan dishes, but they were VU to ask you to change the menu with so little notice and on a part time fad

I'd suggest they reduce their carbon impact by staying at home

I doubt they'll come along tonight. They won't want to arrive after dinner, knowing the other guests probably asked where they were, heard the explanation and had a laugh at their expense

Hilarious. They called her on the day, hours before the meal, to announce their meal 'preference'. OP is not the problem here.

Well done.
My brother is allergic to Pine Nuts ( Pesto) so has to check that nothing contains pine nuts
( He carries adrenaline injection always)
Vegan is OK if they let you know weeks in advance-but not NOW.

You are a Saint to cater for so many.
That would be my nightmare.

Hope they appreciate your efforts.

This sounds like the kind of event people should bring their own food to. You're not a restaurant.

@Just1moreq Sounds yummy!
Look, just to help you out, you understand, I'll put myself out and volunteer to come and eat the food your "part-time vegan" friends have turned their noses up at.
So.......your address is?..........

I don't think I could be friends with people this stupid and demanding. Do they think that their carbon footprint will be different if they do their vegan virtue sign

In all seriousness though, tell them that their carbon impact will not be increased because you have already purchased the non-vegan food and would be cooking it regardless. There would be more impact now if you went and bought specifically vegan food for them as well as what you already have, because even vegan food has to be produced somewhere.

Oh god, a weekend vegan sounds more annoying than vegan.
I can't have dinner at yours either, I only eat lobster at the weekend.....sorry!😁

Sorry for dodgy post!

I don't think I could be friends with people this stupid and demanding. Do they think that their carbon footprint will be different if they do their vegan virtue signalling on a different day?

I hope the weekend vegan is cycling to the dinner party too!

Exactly.
I actually prefer Quorn sausages and mince to the real meat stuff.
No fat or risk of gristle that used to put me off some meat sausage.

I'd tell them rather than drop by later for the drinks portion, you'll reschedule for another night with them sometime.

They are loons 😂

Just when you thought that the performance vegans couldn't get any more attention seeking.

Offer them baked beans on toast, or any other unremarkable food items that are naturally vegan (whatever bread you have, baked potatoes, plain rice, green salad).

Do not acknowledge their great 'vegan weekends' gesture any further.

Most people eat several vegan meals a week, clustering them together under a special weekend umbrella term doesn't make them any more special than the average omnivore.