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?

You can't lie, it will be really obvious and you'll be embarrassed

Just tell them the truth, say you couldn't accommodate cooking for them after a busy week and rather than cancel you got food from XYZ place.

They're here to see you, not be food critics.

I would own it, but if you decide to hide it, dont just put the containers in the kitchen rubbish or anyone who goes to put something in it will see them. Put them in a tied up bag in the bins outside (speaking from experience here!)

Just be honest. I really don’t think there’s any chance you’ll convince them that you cooked a Chinese takeaway. I think maybe your inexperience means you don’t appreciate how unlikely it is that a home cook would produce that kind of food.

I agree with PPs that you don't need to and shouldn't pretend, but also if they have those dietary requirements and live in your local area, they've probably been to that restaurant already.

Be honest.

Also if you lie you will be on tenterhooks all evening worrying at being caught out.

Do jacket potatoes with bought sweet and sour sauce on tofu chucks or chicken for any carnivores. That way you can ensure it meets the allergy requirements. The possibility of contamination would be worse from a busy commercial kitchen I think.

Surely they'd rather think that you ordered in food for their requirements rather than think you're a liar?

Yes they might do, or they might understand that despite being busy and unable to cook, you decided to host a dinner party.

So just be honest with them, if the food is nice they'll be grateful I'm sure.

I am a confident cook who is into food and I would not think any less of you or your efforts for using outside catering

You are inviting them to your home to kindly provide them with a meal and to enjoy their company. You have not invited them for a home-cooked meal.

What is your concern about not having cooked it yourself? Why might that be a problem? Do you think you will be judged adversely?

People will just enjoy a free meal that they have not had to cook - and oif course your company.

But also, if there is a serious allergy your guest may or may not trust food from a commercial kitchen so they should be made aware of that beforehand.

No one is going to believe you cooked it if your kitchen is spotless and you can't answer a simple question about the recipes. Just be upfront, they're presumably your friends and are attending to spend time with you as much as to eat the food that you're providing.

"Youre a bloody tricky bunch with all your varied dietary requirements! but I love you dearly and have therefore ordered in from a restaurant to suit everyone. Let's raise a glass to the absent chef. You're welcome"

No.. the nut free person might trust you to make them a nut free meal but might not be comfortable eating a nut free takeaway… they need to be properly informed.

Have you ever tried to cook Chinese? It is extremely difficult to get it tasting like a takeaway.

If you’re doing to do this, suggest you go for the Italian.

I’d be honest with them. Ordering food thoughtfully is a skill of its own, and Id much rather my hostess was relaxed enough to actually talk to me rather than buried in the kitchen all evening. Are you going to get pudding as well, maybe some Waitrose stuff or something?

This.

Like PP I am an experienced home cook. I would be delighted to come to your house for this meal.

Proper serving dishes are nicer, so using them is fine. I would not go to great lengths to conceal the takeaway containers, though. That implies guilt and there is no reason for it.

Depending on what you’re comfortable with, you could either announce the food as ‘vegan Chinese’ ( or whatever) and await possible questions, or announce cheerily ‘We’re having some specials from my favourite Chinese!’

Enjoy your meal.

If I was going to a friend’s house and they were paying for restaurant food ordered in I’d be over the moon, I think it’s very generous of you! Honestly there could be someone who is shocked you didn’t cook yourself- but who cares that’s their problem, there will equally be others who sigh with relief that you’re a normal busy person who doesn’t have time or skills to whip up a 3 course meal catering for all those requirements! Own it OP, no shame whatsoever! xx

I do it regularly.

I also send my kids in to school with shop bought cakes for “Bake sales”

My ex-MIL would do this. Buy things ready made and claim she made them. I never understood the need to lie about something like this. Especially because it is so easy to be found out. If they like the dish and start asking you how you made it, where you got the ingredients from etc, you'll dig yourself a serious hole! And, if they are cooks and you are not, they will know something is off!

Don't do it! They will guess . They will ask you whete you sourcef the ingredients. Just say you don't have time to cook and hope they enjoy the takeaway.

For goodness sake. Just tell the truth.

You'd be silly to try this because it won't fool anyone. Chinese food from a local Chinese restaurant is absolutely nothing like home cooked Chinese food. Both can be delicious but they are completely different.

Anyone who knows anything bout cooking will be able to tell the difference immediately. It will make you look much sillier than telling the truth and saying 'I'm not much of a cook so I thought this would be nicer'.

There's no shame in not being a good cook. We all have different skill sets.

I'm a good cook and take great pleasure in entertaining people and cooking for them. I also take great pleasure in visiting friends who can't/don't/won't cook and enjoying a takeaway with them.