Like cooking for people, eat with them or after?

Richeh

Richeh

Richeh

Soldato
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Weird thread i'm sure.

I like cooking, especially for other people - for myself I go simple. But if putting time/effort into something it is always for other people. BBQ, Roasts etc

I find when I am putting in effort I like to cook for others and then take what is leftover or what I have saved and eat after but have had some comments of 'come and eat with us!' but I personally prefer eating after 'in peace' as it were.

What are your thoughts, eating with the guests you are cooking for or eating after?
 
Yeah that's definitely weird, if you've invited people round it's not usually just to cook for them, but to also socialise. You also then make the situation awkward by either being present while they eat, or coming across as a bit rude by disappearing.

Unless you're a trainee chef working on a new menu then I'd fully be expecting the host who's cooked for me to come join in.
 
I like cooking and I enjoy cooking meals for other people. There are odd occasions where I've cooked for a family member but due to timing we haven't actually eaten the meal together, but it's rare. The idea of cooking a meal for a group and then choosing not to eat it together does seem quite weird as eating together is a sociable, bonding experience. Are there other social occasion from which you choose to distance yourself?
 
I like cooking for my partner, but we're not particularly sociable so don't have other people round much at all.

I have cooked for 8+ people quite a few times, and will usually eat with them, although I find when I cook for that many people, I'm not particularly hungry by the time it gets to eating it!
 
So would you invite a date round to cook for them and have them eat on their own?

'Oh don't you worry...I'll be eating later...' (wink, nudge or a sinister snear).
 
I like to eat things straight away when served because I don't like finding any part of my food that has significantly cooled, as such I insist upon heated plates, which can be a contentious issue in of itself. I don't understand having cooled leftovers being a desirable outcome.
 
Just to add to this as surprising amount of replies and assumptions. I would agree with the posters above who stated that after cooking for hours, you are just not that hungry.

I have sat down and ate with guests! But I just find after a long BBQ and making sure the food is ready for everyone I would just rather eat in peace by myself. It seems opinions are conflicted but hey I am being honest regarding this. At a point after cooking for 5-8 hours I would just rather eat in peace but everyone is different!
 
Yeah it definitely happens. I've had the same at times. I see it with friends when they cook for a group too, specially ones that have a background in commercial cooking.

As some have said, part of it is that you taste/see/smell and sometimes eat the food during the prep/cooking so when it comes to serving it's not quite as appealing.
The other part for me is it can just be exhausting and I'd rather let everyone enjoy rather than get into conversation.

It changes very much on the type of food and company though. I find it can occur more if there's big group and more cooking. I usually look forward to the leftovers more. :D
 
for me there is a big difference between presenting a heavy effort meal, like voila, here’s what I’ve been doing for hours! Compared to something like smashing a few burgers out or quesadillas etc where I don’t feel like I’ve been building up to a moment.
 
Richeh said:
Just to add to this as surprising amount of replies and assumptions. I would agree with the posters above who stated that after cooking for hours, you are just not that hungry.

I have sat down and ate with guests! But I just find after a long BBQ and making sure the food is ready for everyone I would just rather eat in peace by myself. It seems opinions are conflicted but hey I am being honest regarding this. At a point after cooking for 5-8 hours I would just rather eat in peace but everyone is different!
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Yes I know how you feel but well it’s not about ‘you’ when you have invited guests over so you have to be brave and eat with them!
 
In my defence. All people I have invited are aware I prefer cooking (It's always long cooks not burgers etc) and other people enjoying it. I am sure I am somewhat socially inept but I do make the effort to chat with people but would rather hear 'the food was lovely!' than 'Come here and sit with us' when I am still cooking and trying to perfect ribs/brisket etc
 
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