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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To serve a takeaway to dinner party guests tomorrow?

76 replies

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 21/10/2008 16:49

Taking into account the fact that they all are wonderful cooks and always serve the most delicious dinners for guests.

Something has come up meaning I'll be working for most of he day and the last thing I'll feel like doing is shopping and cooking.

Or am I just being a lazy slattern and should go shopping and do the prep tonight?

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 21/10/2008 20:12

we once were ambushed into going out to dinner with vegans.

they stopped outside every restaurant and poo-poo'd the menu. then giggled, 'we're a pain in the arse, aren't we?'

having had a couple of glasses of wine in a pub beforehand, i slipped up and said, 'yes, you are. and terribly boring, too.'

DH was aghast, but a splinter group of us were able to break off and find a lovely steakhouse for dinner .

googgly · 21/10/2008 20:16

Imagine being a vegan. What a tragic way to live your life

Quattrocento · 21/10/2008 20:19

I've cooked for vegetarians in the past. Got over those liberal tendencies now.

Also had one of those gluten intolerants staying for a couple of days. That was irritating.

In fact TDWP, you need to make a list. You need to eliminate all vegans, vegetarians, gluten intolerants from your dinner party list. Throw out a few random things too, like asthmatics (the dust/fur/feathers might bring on an attack).

By the time you've culled a few names off your list, you'll be down to one or two for dinner tomorrow.

Problem solved without resorting to takeaways.

DesperateHousewifeToo · 21/10/2008 20:20

Do you live near any of these shops?

Could pass it off as 'homemade' (just not in your home!)

georgimama · 21/10/2008 20:20

Anyone rude enough to be bothered about being served a lovely curry/thai takeaway which they aren't expected to pay for isn't worth inviting for dinner, especially if they are vegan as well. I think being vegan is pretty passive-aggressive as food choices go - it sounds nice and tree huggy, but makes you a pain in the arse.

I'll come, and I'll be grateful, and bring wine.

Horntail · 21/10/2008 20:30

get the takeaway. life is too short, I have even (once) gotten (is that a word?) a takeaway from the local pub and passed it off as my own. ! you are at work, don't bust yourself !! and enjoy the party

snigger · 21/10/2008 20:36

Puncture the general air of arsyness, serve the takeout, don't pass it off as anything - it's hospitality, good for you for going ahead with it.

You can get too het up over entertaining sometimes - homemade is great, but if you're working, and tired, and don't cancel in spite of that, three cheers for you.

BirdyArms · 21/10/2008 20:43

Get a takeaway. We have friends who aren't brilliant cooks but live near a great Chinese takeaway. I am thrilled if we go round and they tell us that they are ordering takeaway. Mid-week I think it's absolutely fine as long as the takeaway is good.

spookyrookie · 21/10/2008 20:45

Loving Expats fascist take on vegans

Once had friends for a dinner party and made a real effort, did 3 courses and if I say so myself it was nice. Not one bloody word from them about the food. Did they think it was rubbish, did they not notice it ? Really annoyed me, so since then I care not a jot what people think if I serve up takeaways. If they want to swap lives and work 4 days a week, look after a toddler and simultaneously whip up super duper homemade treats, then they can knock themselves out and bring it over to mine.

SqueakyPop · 21/10/2008 20:46

We have done delivered pizza for friends several times.

We have even, once or twice, served on paper plates (the American in us).

We never really billed these evenings as dinner parties though. More drinks that went on for a bit.

hf128219 · 21/10/2008 20:47

Years ago we invited Dh's colleagues to dinner on a Sunday - after a weekend away. Returned home and then realised the supermarket had closed at 4pm.

Chinese takeaway went down a treat!

CoolYourJets · 21/10/2008 20:55

I would get takeaway.

snigger · 21/10/2008 20:58

Actually, at one of my best most fun dinners, we had cheese toasties and a pudding that took four hours to steam - but that was well-lubricated, that evening

Hope you enjoy it, whatever you choose to do.

ScottishMummy · 21/10/2008 21:12

get together is the company,the bon viveur,my mate is great and always serves takeaway

and yumm it is a nice ole curry.her max food effort is trotting to door to collect when bell rings

mumof2222222222222222boys · 21/10/2008 21:21

I love cooking and usually try and do something nice for dinner parties - but also easy particularly if mid week. Often it is variation on Stew. While I am a bit snobby about bought puds/ready meals ...I have been known to serve them straight out of plastic when the occasion demands . Also pizza express pizzas and plastic salad is a good weekend standby.

Some of our good friends don't "do" cooking and dinner at theirs is nearly always a takeaway which we all order together and wash down with too much plonk.

If I was you and had the time I'd do a main course and cheat with the rest. God only knows about the vegans though!!

nappyzonehasastroppytoddler · 21/10/2008 21:29

Takeaway for defo or local restaurant setting you up to pass off then when your pished you can confess all . Or if your not fancying it at all you could call em all up and say you have or have had that horendous winter vommiting sickness bug and should not cook for 48 hrs so cancel or takeawy as still in danger zone for contaminating them all.

3rd option is when they get there say did you get my message about it just being nibbles but serve up some chilli con carne and some non meat chilli conn carne as a hot buffet alternative...???

Original poster
TheDevilWearsPrimark · 22/10/2008 09:54

Thankyou thankyou thankyou.

The chilli is a great idea so I've just picked up everything I need and can make it this morning before work.

Then dig out my rice cooker and attempt to make nacho type things when I get home.

I'm planning a bean salsa salad type thing as a starter with soured cream for the people that eat real food, does that sound okay?

Also got lemon sorbet to serve with melon and a red berry sauce for dessert (plus cocktails).

OP posts:
eandz · 22/10/2008 11:32

i just order pizza.

i hope your dinner goes well tonight.

i'm having people over for lunch but cooking with a new born is impossible and i have help!

so for lunch i'm doing cold mezze, but still can't decide. how i wish i could make chilli.

ClosedForCleaning · 22/10/2008 11:35

I have a set of friends who always do this. I never think any less of them - perhaps because they also supply so much wine!

ClosedForCleaning · 22/10/2008 11:37

Oh, I haven't kept up. Slow cooker great idea!

Original poster
TheDevilWearsPrimark · 22/10/2008 15:37

Meeting was much shorter than expected thank god.

How's this for a spectacular absent minded cockup? I grated chocolate into the veg chilli. So now must remake the whole thing. I was on the train when I realised, it was one of those slap yourself moments.

OP posts:
mummytowillow · 22/10/2008 15:38

Get yerself down to Marks and Spencers, take it out of the packets and pretend you made it yourself .......... sorted!!

Milkmade · 22/10/2008 15:44

i've got a receipe for chili that actually asks for chocolate (well cocoa) to be put it - maybe it will be fine?

MarmadukeScarletbloodstains · 22/10/2008 15:46

Do you not have a COOK near you?

dilemma456 · 22/10/2008 15:48

Message withdrawn