Cookaholics Bulletin Board

I am catering a party this weekend for a friend of mines 50th Birthday. I just talked to his sister and she tells me that their twin nephews who will be at the party like to see which one can eat more. They are both wrestlers and normal weight, but she tells they eat a lot. Would it be rude of me to make large versions of the sandwiches just for them, so that they don't eat 12 or more of the slider versions that I am making for the adults? The sister is worried about these two and now I am.

Sounds like a question for Etiquette Hell. Personally, I'd make a butt ton of potato salad and direct the little piggies there when they came back for their fifth slider. And this is why I don't cater.

You aren't obligated to provide infinite food because two kids like to over eat. If you want to make a few large items just for them, that's nice of you. However, if you don't and those kids eat all of the food, that is their parents problem, not yours.
If you have a written contract-which you should, especially if these are friends-tell them exactly how many sandwiches you're making.
If this is a favor, or a present kid of thing it's harder to cover, but you could mention that there will be a certain amount of food, and that's that. The parents need to control what their kids are doing. If the kids get that hungry, White Castle exists for a reason!

I talked to the Mom today and she has given me the OK to make larger sandwiches for her big eaters. I also talked to the Aunt and she thinks that's a really good idea.

You're a very nice man.

fitzie

"They are both wrestlers and normal weight, but she tells they eat a lot."

I don't think I'd like to watch that...trying to out-eat each other at someone else's party? Ugh. Both disgusting and rude. Maybe you could put their sandwiches in a trough.

Linda,

That's a bit harsh for someone you don't know.

Competing athletes need to eat a lot. My friends in the Ballet, for example, need to eat at least 1800 calories per meal during the season (ok, only 1200 for the ballerinas). It looks crazy, but they're using those calories.

Sure, they may need the calories, but if they are making a competition of who can eat the most, they are being pretty rude -- especially if they can't be trusted not to consume so much there isn't enough for everyone.

I understand that athletes need to eat a lot. But my point is that 'they try to out-eat each other"! And to do that a party is really rude and inconsiderate of others when the amount of food available is limited. Mommy needs to teach them some manners.

Being a mommy, I know we are not to be counted on. Great big sandwiches and a gentle word from the host might divert a problem.

Mary