I love to entertain and often we have parties where people bring a dish to share. There are two people, one is my sister, the other is a friend, who bring food that needs to be prepared. For instance, my sister will bring crackers in the box and cheese in the plastic container, which I then have to find a dish for, open the crackers, put them on the plate, slice the cheese put them on the plate, and then put them out. The friend often brings frozen shrimp and cocktail sauce, which I then have to find a plate for, pour it out... You get the picture. In the meantime, other guests are arriving whom I wish to greet, and I'd also like to socialize and have a good time. Of course, most people bring something that you just put out on the table after giving them a warm thank you.
Any ideas on how to nicely ask these people, especially my sister, to bring it prepped and ready to put out? Anyone had this experience?
2006-07-26 17:43:58 · 17 answers · asked by PDY 5 in Food & Drink ➔ Entertaining
You're doing too much.
In pot-luck situations, the best thing to do is to just point these people to the kitchen and let them set it up themselves. It doesn't have to be a big announcement, just greet them and say something like, "Great! Thank you! There are some serving plates in the kitchen." Then, make sure you're busy with something else.
This is really common. It allows people to present food the way they want to or gives them the time to assemble a dish that needs to be served fresh. Before the party, stack a few serving platters and bowls on the counter and lay out a cutting board.
If you find that they've just dropped their items in the kitchen, find your guests and try a question like, "Hey, did you want to put those crackers out? Were there no clean plates?"
Just keep it friendly and matter of fact, like OF COURSE they planned on assembling that stuff themselves, something must have gotten in the way.
2006-07-27 08:31:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Whenever they bring something like that thank them, tell them, "Hey, I'd really like to catch up with who ever, or I need to take care of something." Then as you are walking away, QUICKLY give them specific instructions on getting the food to the table, like "Oh it would be a big help to me if you could get that out on the table. Will you please go to the cupboard, place the crackers on the plate. I think there's a knife for the cheese in the drawer. Thanks a lot." Then walk away and don't worry if it's not perfect or if it doesn't even make it to the table. After, if any of it made it out, instruct her on how to clean it up and thank her again.
2006-07-26 17:52:57 · answer #2 · answered by I_sup_w_him 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you already KNOW this is going to happen....from past experiences.....why don't you just have out some plates, dishes for the sister and friend and then say "oh here's some dishes for you, would you mind getting it ready so I can attend to the other guests" and smile sweetly as you leave the kitchen.
2006-07-26 17:50:33 · answer #3 · answered by Jennifer B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's lame, but you can tell her ahead of time that you're not prepping anything, so bring a dish that doesn't require extra preparation. I also assign one person to bring all the utensils, plates, cups, and plastics, so that one person covers all of that. It helps the other people who bring food to not have to worry about what to serve it on.
2006-07-26 17:49:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start giving the plate to the guest and really sweetly ask them to set it up for you b/c you have something else to attend to. After a while, they'll get the picture. If not, at least you won't be doing the extra work...
2006-07-26 17:48:31 · answer #5 · answered by kbk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you really enjoy entertaining, you should be prepared for these people who seem to be regulars at your parties. Have paper plates and bowls for their items so it is not that big of an inconvenience for you and hand the serving ware to them so they can prep their own food. If one of them is your sister, family should be close enough to kindly say, please bring your own servingware as I don't know what you are bringing and I may not have readily available for you. Paper is the way to go with these people.
2006-07-26 17:51:29 · answer #6 · answered by incognito_sue 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well you can tell your sister that it's not that hard for her to cut up the cheese and put them on a plate before she comes over. And as for the frozen food, ask them to cook it before they come over and put it in a heat wrap container.
2006-07-26 17:48:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Next time they come just say 'you know where everything is, put it on that table when you're finished' then leave the kitchen. If they don't do it, then don't put it out. For the most part, they want what they bring to be eaten (i would think)
2006-07-27 12:05:15 · answer #8 · answered by Nicole P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes,just firmly tell them you need it to come arranged and ready for any future party,Do not offer to put out after this.If they realize their dish is not out on the table..so be it.not your problem,theirs to tend to,and if nobody misses it,well...save it for a midnight snack the next day for yourself..you deserve it.
p.s. stash that shrimp in the fridge..quickly..they are yummy.!!
2006-07-26 22:52:50 · answer #9 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, tell them... Listen I appreciate you coming over and all but dont come back to my house with some food that has to be cooked... or you will no longer be invited! Keep it real! concise and assertive. Tell your sister that no one wants any cheese crackers... tell her to bring some potato salad or something lol
2006-07-26 17:48:57 · answer #10 · answered by comingofage03 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋