Friends promised a BBQ and delivered an Iceland beige buffet!

[Bbqdisaster]

As above really, myself, DH and 3 DC went to our friends’ house yesterday on the promise of some drinks in the garden and a BBQ.

They said they were having issues with their BBQ so would do an ‘indoor BBQ’. This consisted of beige food from Iceland!!

AIBU to find this a woeful alternative?

I prefer a buffet rather than a BBQ. At least the buffet will be prepared correctly rather than not knowing if the food is actually cooked .

That isn't what has been said. She was disappointed with the food is what she said.

They had a problem and did what they could, give them a bit of credit. Not up to your standard hard luck, suck it up.

Im sure you realise its a dig at Burnham.

Yes I know. My comment was meant as in if she knew it was "beige" she wouldn't have gone, as clearly wasn't there for the company.

People have very different ideas of what is appropriate to entertain with. The main thing is that someone invited you and offered food.

I remember being a bit surprised by some friends of my husband’s who ordered in takeaway pizza - honestly this is not something I would ever have done, I cook a three-course meal when guests come. However my husband who doesn’t care about food thought it was fine , indeed preferable not to have to waste time on food (!!). We always have a great time and they are unfailingly generous and great fun so I’m glad I didn’t let my slight surprise show!!

I quite agree.
...........

Op, there's nothing wrong with Iceland, they do some nice things.

It's nasty to accept someone's hospitality and complain about it afterwards online, using scathing comments like 'beige'. You are no friend and you come across as quite snobbish.

Glad you're not my 'friends'.

😂😂😂

Actually the emergency alert started by saying “The public was urged to avoid activities capable of sparking fires…” according to the Government website, which would appear to cover garden BBQs. Unless of course it was one of those rather lower middle class gas BBQs ;)

I think it substantially changes the invitation. If I had invited people for a BBQ and then discovered that I had no BBQ and could not borrow one, I'd probably call them - on Friday night in this case, after discovering the BBQ was unavailable and before going shopping - and say they were still welcome but it's going to be Iceland buffet.

If money's not an issue, then my guess re why frozen party food is the logical fall back would because they can't cook apart from outdoor grilling, so it's either BBQ or pre-prepared. I'd have been disappointed too if there wasn't at least a good salad or some fresh vegetables, fruit, etc.

Your friends fed you, you miserable git! Of course you're being unreasonable to feel aggrieved about a buffet, even a beige Iceland one!

I know what you mean OP. When we host a bbq my dear husband has usually been out hunting wild boar which we use for our sausags as we only eat and.serve meat that is freshly caught. Oh my goodness when we serve duck sometimes our guests find bit of shot in their dishes! I usually freshly bake rolls , I have to buy packet flour as milling our own flour takes a windmill and we don't have one of those haha! Freshly served salad from our garden with organic cheeses and sometimes a side of freshly caught salmon. Delicious.

Seriously OP genuinely one of the most baffling AIBU I've seen! Company is so much more important to me than what they serve, but maybe I'm simpler than you, give me.some cheesy wotsits, breadsticks and mini pizzas and I'm a happy person!

If you left me an expensive bottle of wine. I would have hoped you took it home! As we wouldn’t be drinking it!
Or it would be given as a present or left in the cupboard!
I love Iceland party food! Would prefer that to a sad veggie burger etc!

I don’t know, it seems pretty mean to actually post about it on the internet, and unreasonable to have seemingly taken offence to something so minor as ( free) food that does not meet some sort of standard.

Don't be so ungrateful and ungracious. The company and the thought is what counts. They hosted you and provided food. I hope you said thank you at least.

Exactly, but hopefully the host at least liked that to brighten the misery of their evening. You can't buy time that's for sure.

Agreed.

This. Your complaining says more about you than it does about them. I would be grateful for whatever they provided along with their company.

Your friends had a problem with their barbeque. Instead of cancelling the whole thing, they ran to the shops for emergency food for their friends.

Very rude and snobby OP!! I hope they don’t bother again.

talking about your posh ready meals and posh wine feels very off.

Listen to yourself..... Awful.

🙄 It’s perfectly normal to leave everything you take regardless of how much you choose to spend.

Likewise - was promised a Sri Lankan afternoon tea (my family do it properly with scones and cakes) and was given an Iceland beige buffet with tea.