going on holiday with friends who want to cook and we don't - do we say something?

[sparkleymummy]

We are going on a weeks holiday this year with friends who are real food and wine buffs. This is fine but our idea of a holiday is going out to eat so that we don't have to cook and wash up for a change. They on the other hand want to visit local markets to get produce and cook every day.

DH has suggested we just tell them we won't be doing our share for fear of poisoning everyone and we wash up every night - but really we would far rather go out.

Do we say something or just go with the flow for an easy life?

I would be honest and say you would prefer to eat out as much as possible. Failing that, could you compromise and let them cook for say 3 evenings and then go out for the rest?

rut ro (scooby doo's uh-oh)

I have been on hols with food buffs tis a nightmare...

you go out, and let them stay in and cook for themselves.

Do you have to do everything with them?

I guess if you said something along the lines of "we don't find cooking very relaxing and like to eat out while we are on holiday, how about you cook half the time and we wash up and we go out the rest of the time"

Also if they are foodies then why not find some good restaurants in the area to go to?

Or see if you can hire a cook with the house?

I don't mind that sort of compromise mishymoo - its the thought of having to cook myself that's worrying me. My friend has been collecting suitable recipies! I have to practice somehting at least 4 times before I can risk giving it to humans

So do stuff where you don't have to cook

Salads etc

Hadn't thought of salads. That should help.

I guess we could get out of trapsing around markets too by offering to stay at the villa and look after the six DCs

There should be plenty of lovely restaurants in Tuscany.

I'd suggest you reach some kind of compromise before you go otherwise this could end up spoiling your holiday. Agree a number of meals to eat out and a number to eat in. If you can't reach an agreement, then let them stay in while you go out some nights. But you don't have to cook gourmet meals - do you know if there is a barbecue at your villa? There will be lots of tasty local produce, so you won't have to do too much with good fresh ingredients - grilled or bbqd meat or a mix of cold meats and salads etc. And start an "ideas for simple holiday meals" thread.

lilolil you're a genius. The BBQ could save my bacon! I was thinking I would have to use up my luggage allowance carrying cookbooks!!

My dp LOVES to cook, so when we go on holiday with other people it's just accepted that he will do the cooking unless anyone else desperately wants to. Why not say to them that you don't feel like cooking for other people but you'll happily do the washing up when they do. Then say that you want to go out to eat to and do they want to come or would they rather just cook for themselves those nights. Make a plan and stick to it so that everyone knows what's happening when.

not a genius, just someone who always goes self-catering! I also love cooking so not really an issue for me. You might feel more relaxed about your contribution to the cooking if you have some ideas before you go - you don't need to take cook books but perhaps note down some great bbq/no cook/minimal cook recipes. A great fave in our family is lemon chicken - a whole chicken, chuck over some oil, water and juice of a lemon. Stick the squeezed lemon inside the chicken, sit sliced potatoes round teh chicken, bang in the oven, serve with salad and good bread.
Others will have lots of other ideas too I'm sure. Seeker also makes a very good point. I'd happily cook for recluctant cooks on holiday as long as I haven't got all the preparation and clearing up to do as well. I'd suggest meeting up with your friends well ahead of the holiday over a glass of wine and discuss the arrangements rather than wait til you get there.

Where are you going?

In france for eg is the norm to buy cooked chickens so you could do that one night

We bbq a lot when on holiday usually