Entertaining & Etiquette

Hypothetically, let’s say you invited 20 friends to your home for wine-tasting and dinner. 10 of the invitees rsvp within the allotted time. Plus two are “likely maybes”, which makes 12 total. At...

So you and the Mrs are invited to a “less than stellar” restaurant or, even worse, an acquaintance’s home for dinner! Somehow they know you’re “particular about food” and keep asking your opinion ...

We're throwing a party at the park for my son's 4th birthday. I know I want to make the Momofuku birthday cake/cupcakes. (I made it last year and I think it's the best cake I've ever had!). For foo...

by Melanie Wong 3 months ago

" . . . One other way of handling a horrifying guest is to follow the 'shun, don't shame' advice of Daniel Buccino, the director of the Johns Hopkins Civility Initiative. 'If somebody calls that yo...

Here we are at a popular local arts theater waiting for the film to begin when a couple comes in, paper bag in hand, and begins to spread their larder on their laps. It was a sandwich and sides the...

by Melanie Wong 5 months ago

"Yuki Tatsumi was working as a waiter in a restaurant when one day, as he was cleaning up a table, he noticed that a customer had intricately folded up the paper chopstick sleeve and left it behind...

I've been invited to a friends suprise birthday party by a mutual acquaintance. When she had initially invited she did not mention there would be a cost and I had even asked her if she needed anyth...

Scenario A: Greek Resto X was a two hour drive from home and had delicious moussaka. I happened to be in the area on business and ordered take-out. My mouth was watering during the drive home b...

Hello chowhound! I'm a newbie here but have been lurking and cooking for awhile. I recently turned 20 and I cook dinner for company 2-3 nights per week. During the school week I keep meals simple b...

by danhole 11 years ago

What is the standard, wherever you are, after a death in the family? Does someone bring food to your home, for the family, or is food provided after the service (as in funeral/memorial/burial)? I a...

Hello - I am planning a party for about 60 people. It is going to be a BBQ, and I am going to get ribs for 45 catered from a local BBQ joint. I am going to do the sides myself, and also am thinking...

If I bring a good bottle of desert wine to a neighbors house, is it proper to take the leftovers home?

I recently visited some family in a situation where I knew that showing up with a gift would be challenging (they have very lofty standards regarding food and design in terms of what is/isn't ok) a...

We are always the host of friend get togethers. While I wouldn't call these get togethers "dinner parties", they are events where I cook for everyone. I get great joy and satisfaction out of doin...

Hello Chowhounders! I've just come back from a trip and my husband has decided he would like to have a barbecue tomorrow for the 4th of July. I'm happy to host - we like to entertain and keep e...

Often times, dh eats his meal within 5-10 minutes of him being served. He occasionally will sit there with the kids and myself to relax or process the meal, but a lot of times, whether he waits a f...

Hello, I saw a four year old post about alternative to taco catering for a children's party. I was wondering if you all had any ideas beyond BBQ, a food truck (logistics don't work), and burgers? A...

Seems there are two rules of thought -- that it be left on the chair (as no one wants to see a used napkin on the table or next to a dish) -- which is what I usually do; or, that it be left to the ...

I’m hosting a pickle party- where everyone has to bring a dish featuring pickles. It will be a small gathering, so I only want like 3 or 4 categories for priZes. Most creative or unique? Best o...