To pretend I cooked the restaurant food- dinner party

[Dual]

I’m hosting a dinner party for 7 guests tonight. I’m a truly shit cook, and my guests amongst them have loads of dietary requirements - vegan, gluten free and nut free, and one guest only likes Chinese or Italian cuisine.

i have also had to work late every day this week. I decided last night instead that I’d order from a vegan Chinese restaraunt today that clearly lists all nut free and gluten free dishes.

im embarrassed to admit ive not cooked myself, so aibu to put them into my own dishes and pass them off as my own cooking tonight?

Just tell the truth. It would be mortifying for people to work out you are lying

I don’t think they’d be able to tell. I’m planning on ordering the simple tofu and vegetable dishes, so it’s believable I made them.

theyre all super into cooking so I don’t want them to think I’m lazy for having not made it myself

I would definitely do this.
just get rid of the packaging, no one will ever know 😁😁

Don’t be embarrassed. They are coming to see you, to chat, have fun, etc. You’re providing the food, it doesn’t matter if you’ve cooked it or not.

But if they’re your friends, surely they know you’re a bad cook! They’re your friends they won’t judge. Personally I’d make a joke of it.

Just tell the truth, you will look like an idiot if they catch you in a lie. What if someone has a specific question relating to their allergy? You going to just hide in the toilet while you phone the restaurant?

I’ve never cooked for them before, so don’t yet have a reputation as a shit cook thankfully 😂

People who are super into cooking are likely to ask questions about the recipe and cooking methods at a dinner party.

If these people are your friends just tell the truth! They should be pleased to have their dietary requirements sorted safely and hopefully looking forward to spending the evening with you rather than focusing on critiquing the food/the time spent cooking. And if they do twig you’re lying (likely if you’re pretending to pull off vegan Chinese) it’s all just a bit cringe.

Read the book 'got you back' by Jane Fallon and you'll change your mind about doing it 😂

You are only being unreasonable to be embarrassed that you haven't cooked it yourself, really. You are hosting these people, feeding and entertaining them, and making sure none of them dies from their various dietary requirements not being met. I'd tell them all with a big, cheery smile, that since you like them all even though they are a tricky bunch, you have gone for this lovely food from this amazing restaurant I know, and they're very welcome. Not telling them just creates huge stress at being caught out if they ask you how you made this wonderful food.

You are very brave to host a dinner party at all! Especially with such varied dietary requirements.

I think I'd have brought them all to said restaurant instead! 😊

OP, if they’re all “super into cooking”, then if you say you made its yourself, you’re liable to be asked for the recipe. Just tell them you’ve had a busy week and didn’t have time to cook - no-one will mind! I’d think a lot less of a friend if I found out they’d lied about it.

I wouldn't even try. If you've paid for it all, who cares frankly.
If anyone asks or mentions, I would ask quietly how they would foresee cooking for a group of 7 including vegan, GF, nut free and "I only eat Chinese or Italian" on a Friday night after working a full week?

I once had to host all of my DHs colleagues for a dinner party (15 people) and the list of not eats/preferences and demands included: no mushrooms, no dairy, no lamb, veggie only, 'not too many peppers', no seafood and 'I don't eat after 7.30pm'. They were just as fussy with the drinks too, and one wife of a colleague had the gall to ask us to go to the local supermarket so that she could have her favourite tipple (tia maria I seem to remember).

I think you need to be honest. Otherwise you're setting yourself up for a lot of lying in the future! What happens next time they come over? What if one asks you for your recipe?
Also, what if someone ends up sick or has a reaction? Nightmare.

Just tell the truth but say you were also concerned about dietary requirements so thought this was the safest option.

Why on earth would you lie? Just tell the truth that you have been super busy and have ordered in. You are helping a local restaurant, and if the food is delicious your friends my visit it in the future giving them more customers. You will look a fool if you're caught out.

Sounds silly maybe but I don’t want to be looked as an incompetent adult for failing to cook. Will they not think I’m lazy for having made nothing at all tonight? I’ve got vegan ice cream for dessert

yes this I am afraid.

I'm a terrific cook but have never mastered Chinese cooking. If someone served this to me as their own creation I am VERY likely to ask about techniques.

Who are they? Surely not friends if you think they're going to think you're incompetent or lazy for not cooking rather than appreciate what you have done? So if they're not friends and this is a one off and you'd feel better lying then try it and hope you don't get caught, good luck 🤞

Girl in the internet age, they'd just chatgpt it and would declare you a liar within minutes 😄😄😄

Boldly own it x

I clicked YANBU. You’re not lazy you’re a busy working professional.

But don’t be ashamed to admit that you didn’t have the time if you do tell them

Just tell them.

It's fine.

Be all cheery and confident about it. They are coming for dinner - which they are getting. And company and fun , which they will get.

But which could be made awkward if they guess it is bought in.

In France engaging the 'traitueur' is a well established and respected tradition. Sometimes providing just one course while the host does the rest.

If you want to make a dessert that suits all the dietary needs this is lovely - without the yogurt, obviously, for the vegan. You could serve it with dark vegan chocolates.
Chilled Caramelised Oranges With Greek Yoghurt | Nigella's Recipes | Nigella Lawson

I think you'd be better off saying you had an insane week and weren't able to pull together any cooking plans so went for this Chinese which is meant to be delicious - please don't worry, it's all checked for allergies etc and they can see the menu if concerned. It's often obvious that's it's takeaway food imo. That's not a bad thing, but it is just different to homemade and I wouldn't want you to look silly passing it off as yours. That's way more embarrassing than not being a good cook (which you don't have to admit to anyway).

I'd just say I'd had to work late all week and plans went to pot, if someone takes offence then they are free to leave.