No help cooking bbq.

[cupsandcupsoftea]

I am a single mum and it's my child's big birthday this weekend. To make it special I've invited friends, their kids etc. I asked my own Dad if he could give me a hand cooking the meat as there's so many people and so I can try and host my guests. This is DS grandad.

He said no he's not helping at all with the cooking.

AIBU to think thos is crap not to help me flip some burgers? I'll be buying all the meat.

I think you should have asked him in advance before sending out invites if he would be ok with that.

I had another friend coming who was helping who has let me down last minute hence needing my dads help.

Oh well, maybe I am BU!

Yanbu, can't imagine why he wouldn't want to help you out. Was he busy or just didn't want to?

What was his reason? That seems pretty mean spirited. Most men love an opportunity to show off their BBQ skills!

Mm I see his point. My ds has organised a bbq soon. He expressed horror when he realised he would be doing the food... Usually hosting is down to me and dh. .. I bit my tongue but offered to bring home made coleslaw but said that was my entire contribution!

Hes coming along that's organised l, he just says he's nor helping me with any cooking

So he's happy to come along and bring booze, a salad etc etc, he's just not happy to help me with the meat cooking which is the bit ill need help with.

That is shit OP
As it's a BBQ you can make everything a bit more relaxed.

People can help themselves to drinks etc, you can just grab someone to help bring things out (there is always someone helpful and honest I'm an introvert so I love a task)

I bet someone won't mind stepping in and flipping the burgers

Your dad is being an arse hat though.

Just cook the meat ahead of time in the oven then chuck it on the bbq to get colour - works fine with sausages , burgers etc

Why do you need help? It's not a particularly difficult task

Unfortunately my oven is broken so not am option to cook first. I need help as I'm stressing about cooking for so many. I'm just disappointed that's all, I wanted a hand to make his birthday run smoothly.

Cook the meat in the morning (on the BBQ) and finish off on the BBQ later

Out of all the guests I only really feel close enough to my dad to ask, not anyone else.

I think your just gonna have to suck it up. Do as much as you possibly can before guests arrive, paper and disposable everything, help yourselves to drinks, and most importantly, keep the bbq menu simple, ie, burgers and hotdogs.

How many have you got coming?

Have you got an airfryer ? Then at least you could do sausages in there

OP because this is MN you’ll get loads of people saying it’s outrageous to ever expect a bit of a hand from anyone in your life but I think it’s very mean and shit of him and I’m sorry Maybe another guest will offer to help. If they do say yes!!!

Maybe he just doesn’t feel confident cooking for other people with food you’ve bought as scared he’ll mess it up. It will honestly be a doddle, I do all the bbqing by myself (mostly because I don’t trust others to cook things correctly!). It’s doesn’t take long and people will bring you drinks and chat. You will also get all the kudos!!

Ditch the BBQ idea if it’s stressing you out. Make a huge batch of pulled pork or chilli in advance instead and serve that with all the salads.

Thanks.

Could I do sausages in air fryer then and then keep out and just warm up in bbq later on? Would they keep?

I had something similar happen but on the day I found that people who noticed came up and offered to give me a hand.

Yes they’ll keep fine just do that so at least you have something ready quickly to feed people while you do burgers. Set up a burger station with the buns sliced , cheese , toppings and sauces etc so they can do all that part themselves

I just don’t understand where your dad is coming from. I guess he wants to relax and enjoy the party but who doesn’t love a turn on the BBQ.

@cupsandcupsoftea you’ll find lots of willing helpers on the day. Or just ask someone “do you mind watching the burgers for five minutes while I get more drinks for the kids”.

You’ve got this!