A picky eater

Id love to try your meal.

anyway if anyone was coming to my place and didnt like what i was cooking, id tell them to go home.

Originally Posted by Februa

Heres maybe a little different perspective. I am perhaps the pickiest eater I know. And certainly I would be offended if my BEST FRIEND invited me over for dinner, and then served me something they could pretty much guarantee I wouldnt eat. I would do just as you say he will do, drink water politely. Then I would have something else to eat somewhere else later, and then I would never return for a dinner at that place again. If you want to be a polite host, and are cooking for guests, you should make them something you can at least assume they will enjoy, not something you are almost certain they will not. Save more exotic meals for the friends you have who arent so limited in their tastes, and keep everyone happy, including yourself (unless of course, you can not enjoy simple meals like regular pastas and BBQ, in this case, then the multi cuisine restaurant probably IS the best bet).

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It's not that I am trying to make him uncomfortable, it is the fact that I have to buy a whole other set of food and cook it at the same time to make him happy. The ingredients I'm using aren't exotic by any stretch of the imagination. It's red wine, spinach, garlic, and cheese; that's it.

It would be one thing if it was just he and his wife, but its actually for five or six other people.

Is he a meat and potatoes kind of guy???
One of my BIL's is really picky we have vacationed twice with him and his wife-the 1st time in Hawaii we couldn't eat at a restaurant until he saw that there was something "common" on the menu. But when we went on a cruise with him-he was more willing to try a few different foods!!

Originally Posted by GailC

Is he a meat and potatoes kind of guy???
One of my BIL's is really picky we have vacationed twice with him and his wife-the 1st time in Hawaii we couldn't eat at a restaurant until he saw that there was something "common" on the menu. But when we went on a cruise with him-he was more willing to try a few different foods!!

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He is a microwave dinner, pizza, burger and fries, and potato chip kind of guy. That's all I've ever seen him eat. He won't eat BBQ chicken either. I am at a loss. I guess I can go get a microwave meal just to make him happy.

Originally Posted by lookingglass

He is a microwave dinner, pizza, burger and fries, and potato chip kind of guy. That's all I've ever seen him eat. He won't eat BBQ chicken either. I am at a loss. I guess I can go get a microwave meal just to make him happy.

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He'd be SOL eating at my place; I don't cook any of those things (except maybe a homemade "healthy-ish" pizza). Likewise, I'd be SOL eating at his place, as none of the things he likes are WW-friendly (unless his microwave dinners are Smart Ones or Lean Cuisines, which I somewhat doubt! ) And if you're cooking for more than just him and his wife, why should he be the only one you try to please? He's the only one you can't!

And Februa, honey, if you're that picky an eater, I wouldn't invite you to my house for dinner in the first place. I'd try to find a restaurant we could both agree upon. I don't have the patience to cook for picky people -- that's why I never invite my friend N over for meals: she doesn't like trying new foods. She doesn't resent me for not having her as a dinner-guest because she knows she's picky.

Originally Posted by Mirinae

And Februa, honey, if you're that picky an eater, I wouldn't invite you to my house for dinner in the first place.

I'd try to find a restaurant we could both agree upon. I don't have the patience to cook for picky people -- that's why I never invite my friend N over for meals: she doesn't like trying new foods. She doesn't resent me for not having her as a dinner-guest because she knows she's picky.

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Thats exactly my point - and I wouldnt expect you to, without offense. But if you *did* invite me, KNOWING the pickiness factor, I dont think youd be doing your job as "good host" to not make some kind of accomodation. As far as my pickiness factor goes, Ive never met anyone pickier, that said people never cook me special meals, but theres always at least a few items I can enjoy, like a tossed salad, a regular vegetable dish, bread products etc. If the guy is honestly that picky, he should choose not to attend (and there should be no offense taken by this). If his attendence is highly valued, some consolation needs to be in place, but that is just m.o.
Picky eaters like me are not at all unaware of their ridiculousness.

Originally Posted by Februa

Picky eaters like me are not at all unaware of their ridiculousness.

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I'm a very picky eater, and have been my whole life. I don't get invited to dinners anymore, but that doesn't bother me at all.

I guess I should say this. It is one thing to try something and not like it, its a whole other thing to refuse to eat something because it looks "yucky". I don't have a problem cooking for someone who has at least tried something and hates it. I do have a problem with someone who won't eat leafy green veggies because they "look weird".

I honestly wouldn't "sneak" ingredients in anyones food that they've specifically told you they don't want. While they may seem picky (and that could be the case) ....they may just have an allergy to some foods and prefer not to be around them- you definitely don't want to start hiding things in peoples food should you put something in there that they may be allergic to. I just wouldn't suggest it. I would make what you plan to make (and if he asks what's in it- tell him) and also ask that they bring a dish with them (sorta like a pot luck)- that way, he will have something with him that he will definitely eat. I honestly wouldn't stress too much over dinner- just enjoy the company - but definitely don't "hide" ingredients from people....they may seem picky- but you never know if they could have a sever allergy to something. / Also, even though his behavior towards food may seem childish- he is an adult- it is not right to "hide" things in his food without him knowing like one might do to a picky child. I just wouldn't suggest it. Let them make a dish to bring along with them - so that way he can eat something he likes if he wants to be picky....and go ahead and make what you were planning on (I think it sounds lovely!!!! - also, you soo need to post a recipe for it can you subsitiute white wine or a vodka sauce for the red wine?)

If you are cooking for 5-6 people, and already have it all planned and purchased, he will just have to deal. Don't emphasize the differences...and for the garlic bread maybe you can make a few pieces with no cheese. When you set it out, don't say it is just for him, but let people know this is with, this is without. Then you will feel comfortable knowing he could at least have bread and water at your dinner! LOL!

I am very picky about certain foods...like I really really don't like tuna. If I am at someone's house, and they are serving tuna or something else on my "no way" list, I just skip that item, and don't make a big deal out of it. If they question it, I let them know (just so they don't think it is their fault I'm not eating it.) I would feel bad if someone had to change plans to accomodate my pickiness. And if it is something "iffy", or new to me that I think I won't like, I just take a small amount. That way I can try it, because often a good cook can make things yummy....but if I don't like it I didn't waste anything.

Next time, be sure he is not advised ahead of time what is on the menu. Or serve him those vile frozen chicken nuggets that my kids like!

I don't consider myself a picky eater but there are some things I just cannot bring myself to eat (escargot for one).

If I invite someone to my home for a meal the first thing I ask them is if there is anything they particularly like or dislike. We also had a friend of my husband's a few years ago that hardly liked anything at all. Because he was a good friend and we loved him, whenever he came for dinner I cooked things that I knew he would eat.

In your case, having 5-6 other people presents a different challenge. Personally I would cook my planned dinner and get a microwaveable meal for him that he likes. Also the garlic bread suggestion above is good - make a couple slices without the cheese for him.

I agree with Februa - if I invite someone to my home for dinner then the onus is on me to make something they can at least eat. If someone drops by without an invitation they must take whatever I'm offering.