Q: We entertain a great deal, and I usually don’t know if our guests are vegetarians or have food allergies – until they’re sitting at my dining-room table and not touching the main course. Should I be asking everyone ahead of time about dietary restrictions?
A: If you’re having a few people over for a dinner party or a weekend stay, it’s a good idea to check, especially if you’re planning to serve a dish some people can’t handle. You could say, “We’re thinking about having shellfish, and I’m wondering if you’re able to eat shrimp or clams.” Another approach: “I haven’t bought groceries yet for the weekend – any preferences?” When you’re planning a larger party, you needn’t ask each guest about food restrictions, but to be on the safe side, make sure you include some “neutral” dishes such as a vegetable platter, pasta with meatless sauce, fresh fruit for dessert. That way, everybody will find something he or she enjoys.
Loading ...
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
As a vegetarian, I run into this situation all the time, but I believe it is rude to attend a dinner party without notifying the hosts about my preference. That would just makes the host feel badly when they didn’t make accommodations for me. When we are invited for dinner, I always say “We would love to, but we are vegetarians. I’m not sure what you are planning to serve, but we could come for dessert if that doesn’t fit with your plans.” This way, the host doesn’t need to come up with a separate thing at the last minute if they were planning to make a beef brisket!
I love that answer! As a host I would feel great being informed BEFORE you arrive b/c I can so easily add something to the menu. It’s better than feeling lousy b/c my guests can’t eat what’s on offer. Wish we had a cultural standard on this one, either that the host asks or the guests tell before the event.
As a diabetic, I watch what I eat very carefully. I have learned to say, “It looks delicious, and I wish I could. But, I’m diabetic.” Delivered with a warm smile, it has been effective. Because of my food limitations, I generally ask about preferences when I invite someone over. However, if I’m having a large group I simply make sure there’s a wide variety of things that should hit just about every preference. Also, I make note about friends’ likes, dislikes, and preferences so I’ll have them for future consideration.