To serve or not to serve, that is the question. (Cakes)

[Singsongmama]

It's so trivial but I often wonder what the "socially acceptable" thing to do is if someone brings cakes when you invite them for coffee. I always have a cake or biscuits or baking when I have folk round but should I be offering them the cake that they brought??

It's the same when anyone brings wine for dinner. Do you crack that open or keep it and serve what you'd already bought?

Eg...friend came for coffee last week and brought shortbread and lovely strawberries. I gave her the coffee and walnut cake that I had.

I know it's probably a case of going with the flow but is there a cake serving etiquette that I'm not aware of?

I have heard that if the gift is a bottle of wine, then it doesn't have to be served up with dinner. The host is supposed to have chosen the wines to accompany the dinner served.

Cake ? I think if ka friend brought around some cake I would serve up both the one I had prepared, and the guest's.

But -I am no expert :)

I always serve what people bought with them because...
It may be they are fussy buggers and have bought something they like, and i can then eat the cake i baked ALL BY MYSELF

I'd serve both cakes. Then you can have 2 bits!

etiquette thread

I would also serve up both cakes, so guest can choose or try a piece of each.