Cookaholics Bulletin Board

Late the party here but I have the same problem. My main friends group is full of non-foodies who drink supermarket wine. I got two Disney-esqe wines for Christmas because they liked the label. So now, I don't cook elaborate food for them. I have other friends I spend time cooking on, and I do only the basics when this group comes over, and they are always happy. I had them over for cookies two weeks ago and made ziti with boxed noodles, canned sauce and supermarket ricotta and they raved because I added some garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes. A few days later I made a massive all-homemade lasagna for other friends, and they were also happy. No point in beating my head against the wall.

--Lisa

Some people just have no class at all.
I'm remembering a very special T'giving dinner I'd planned several years ago. Among those I invited was a couple who were my oldest friends - she who does not cook.
When she offered to bring something I suggested she bring a pumpkin pie.
When they arrived she had instead a Costco pumpkin pie cheesecake. And, worst of all, part of it had been already eaten. Why wants a big honkin' cheesecake to go with a huge dinner? No one ate any, of course, and I sent it back home with them.

That is simply gross. Really? Come on people...get a life.

Amy

I make food for me and my wife. Occasionally I let other people partake. I don't especially care what they think; the one thing that will irritate me is them telling me that the dish I made was really really wonderful but that they make it much more simply (though not quite as good). Yes, I know the last 5% takes 90% of the time, but so what? It was my time. I think maybe they are justifying their shorter approach, which is fine, but they could keep it to themselves instead of making out like I made a bad choice in optimization (I just hang out with too many people with degrees in this sort of thing, clearly). However, I know they mean no harm, so try to keep calm .

We just live with the wine they bring, though one weekend guest last weekend actually brought wine *they* couldn't finish. We had a nice bottle of bordeaux after they left

Usually if someone brings food, it is dessert. We basically never eat (or make) dessert, so it is OK I guess, but it has yet to be an actual good dessert.

I just wish I had friends that brought wine. Okay, truthfully we only invite family over for dinner. My sister has started bringing me wine, since I started getting into it. I've gotten into better wines though so they are often not to my taste.

I'm kicking myself for not getting champagne for tonight.

I'm with Amy - who dafuq brings a half-eaten dessert to a Thanksgiving meal?!

Luckily most of my friends are very cooperative when I say, "Please don't bring anything but your appetite." Every so often they will bring me a gift card to the grocery store or liquor store because I cook for them much more frequently than they for me (although of course I'm happy to do it without anything in return).

Paul wrote: "We just live with the wine they bring, though one weekend guest last weekend actually brought wine *they* couldn't finish."

I mean, really?! Who brings used food to a dinner party?

Sorry, that was poorly stated. They brought the wine un-opened. However, upon opening, even they couldn't finish their glass, it was so awful.

LOL! If it's in a hot tub, I'd say go right ahead!

I have friends like that also. I am getting ready to retire at the end of January. We just had a retirement party at work for another co-worker. The entree was frozen heated up lasagna, and a giant crock pot of buffalo chicken dip. During the party for someone else, my friends were already starting to complain about having a party for me because they couldn't possibly have anything that I would think was good. I was never so embarrassed in all of my life. They suggested that I "cater" my own retirement party. I really, really, had to hold my tongue. I don't criticize what people bring, I just choose to bring something homemade and different. So, I feel for you Wino..........I think I'll just have pizza when I retire!!!

Karen