We have houseguests with food issues. My wife suddenly feels like a short-order cook. What should we do?

Answer 1

Kick the freeloaders to the curb!

Answer 2

There are a lot of "it depends" issues here. Are these "food issues" allergy, or religious related or are they just picky eaters? Did you know about these "food issues" before the guests arrived, or did they just spring them on you? Did you invite these people to stay with you for a vacation, or did they just invite themselves? Are they long term houseguests or just staying for the week?

Under the very best of circumstances...ie...they have food allergies, you were aware of them ahead of time, and they are only staying for a week or so, just ride it out. Be patient, it isn't as if your guests are TRYING to be a pain. Ask them to help plan the menu...tell them that it is very confusing for you to figure out what they can and can't eat. Eat out a couple nights.

Under the worst of circumstances...ie...they just don't want whatever you want to cook, tell them like it is. Let them know that you are glad to be able to visit with them, but their demands are just a little over the top, and if they don't want to eat what you are cooking, then they need to plan to eat without you.

Answer 3

This is SUCH a hot topic for me and my husband. When his family visits, they are rude about saying which foods they don't like. People suggest I should make 2 things at once to make them happy....How on earth is that helping these people teach me how I want to be treated????

You will cook what you are served at my house! And don't try bringing something else to the dinner table my food is on. It is HUGELY offensive. People and their food issues drive me up a wall (if you can tell :). I came from a home where that just wasn't acceptable. You have to be firm in your guidelines. You and your wife need to be a united front in letting them know what's served is what's eaten.

NOTE: i would not suggest letting them cook their own food. These don't sound like the type of people who would do their own dishes. Then you'd have a whole nother issue to deal with. Plus, you wouldn't want them using up all your "good" groceries: prime meats, cheeses, chocolate, etc- which are usually the only things picky eaters go for.

Answer 4

I once had my BIL call and leave me a msg as to what he and his children would and would not eat regarding an upcoming visit. I felt like I was going to be a short order cook; so I understand.

If there are so many food issues; eat out! Lay it on the line as nicely as possible and tell your guests that surely they don't want to have your wife being a short order cood and that we'll all be eating out for meals; each family can take care of their own tabs (if this is possible?) - or suggest taking turns on who picks up the tabs? It will help your wife out a lot because she will already be burdened with additional household chores with the extra bodies as it already stands.

Answer 5

Did you invite them? Or did they announce they were going to visit. There is a huge difference. If you invited them, then live with it until they leave getting take out for whomever possible and never invite them again. If, however, you did not invite them, go talk and say that something has come up and that you regret you will have to ask them to leave for now ( aunt minnie is arriving or you need to have some plumbing done)and offer to help them find a motel or something. I would advise against telling them that your wife cannot fulfil their dietary needs because they sound like people who will take over the kitchen gladly and youll never get rid of them

Answer 6

My inlaws are conservative eaters. I eat romaine lettuce and put raisins and all kinds of crazy stuff in my salads. They eat iceberg lettuce with tomatoes and ranch dressing...nothing else. They don't like mushrooms, asian food, wheat bread, or anything with a lot of spices (not spicy, but spices!!!). I try my best to prepare meals I think they will enjoy, but if I fix something they do not like, I don't worry myself too much about it. I make an effort without making myself crazy. If they don't like it, there is more food in the fridge and they can fix what they like, and there's a grocery store down the street! They would be too polite to complain about it, but if there was a problem, I would make other suggestions about what was in the fridge, and I would welcome them to make themselves at home in my kitchen.

Edit: I agree with SayWhat completely, except that I WILL give my in-laws the option of cooking something for themselves. I have been taught to respect my elders, and I want them to be happy in my home. If they want to make their own food, so be it. For the peace of the family, i'm okay with it! I privately agree it is rude, but I will allow it at my table. If your guests are gracious for the most part, I don't see a problem with it. If they are ungratefult and give you an attitude, then you might want to re-think letting them cook something else. I think its a case-by-case basis. My 2-year-old daughter eats what i fix her, or she doesn't eat at all. I think it depends on the company.

Answer 7

That is a tough call! I would ask them what they can't eat and try to avoid cooking it, otherwise tell them to please cook their own or go out.

I made a great meal of chicken francais, rice, salad and dessert. My husbands cousins came over and stated "I don't eat chicken", well too bad, dinner is served.....I had eaten at their house, certain things I don't care too much for but I would never say anything about it. I just thanked them for a delicious meal and let it go at that.

Who doesn't eat chicken?

Answer 8

If the 'issues' are allergies, it is not the guests fault. But perhaps they should have let you know before the visit so that you could be prepared. If they are just fussy eaters they need to get over it!!

Answer 9

LOL....my parents went through this. When they requested there order my mom prepared it then left them a bill....they got the hint real quick. Just cause your guest doesnt mean your host is a slave to you...people take the term guest to new levels (some people that is).

Answer 10

Choices! In my house I try to accommodate but bottom line is this is what is for dinner, if you like you can join us if not feel free to eat elsewhere. If you are serving a meal with meat, potato, and veg or salad and someone doesn't like say the meat they can eat from the other courses. One meal, one menu, choose if you want to eat or not.

Answer 11

This is a good one because it calls for setting tactful boundaries. House meeting time! "You are welcome to stay here. But if you are allergic, vegetarian, whatever - pick the meal that you most want to eat with us. You are on your own for the other two meals. We will try to accommodate you but if you require an epi pen to be at the ready at all times please bring your own food."
By setting firm, fair and consistent boundaries you should have a pleasant visit!