Poll: Hosting a party. Do you eat or not?

[Gail]

The thread about snacking while cooking got me thinking.

I've noticed a rather strange phenomenon when I'm preparing a meal for guests. I get so into making everything just so, working my fingers to the bone, that often by the time I put the food on the table I literally cannot stand the sight of the stuff. Anyone else feel this way, or do the rest of you sit down and eat with great relish?

[LGBurns]

Oh, I definitely eat. I have the sneeking suspicion that I don't really cook for my guests--I just use them as an excuse to cook fancy stuff for myself. And I'm like beccathebaker, I have to hold myself back not to say "oh god, this is so good!" I think it's because I'm often cooking from a recipe so I don't really think of it as complimenting myself.

[Vanessa]

Hi Gail. When I am the host after all the preparation and cooking I am not as hungry.
I will eat but not as usual. That happens to my mom too. At times like THanksgiving or Xmas when theres more food and people by the time I sit to eatI am not as hungry. I actually enjoy it the next day.

[BlueMoose]

I always eat! But when I have people over, I like to prepare things that I pretty much have done ahead of time. When people start arriving I can visit with them instead of being stuck in the kitchen right up until its time to eat. But I'm also one of those people who tries not to pick too much when I'm cooking.

[Jessica]

This happens to me, too. Often I am tired by the time I sit down and when i am tired I usually don't eat as much.

[TamiK]

I don't eat much when I'm hosting, either. In fact, my best defense about overloading on cookies and sweets over theholidays is to bake a lot. By the time I'm finished (and I don't taste as I go) I can't stand the thought of putting any of it in my mouth. I started making my own version of Almond Roca years ago. Everyone requests it as a gift now. I make about 15 batches over the holidays, but haven't even taken a bite of it for the past 5 or 6 years. DH is always willing to sacrifice and taste it for me, though! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Michael Smith]

I give everyone else a chance to start and play great host for the first half hour until I am coerced.

They don't have to hold my fork behind my back for very long!

[JulieM]

I find that I get sort of wound up from all the planning and preparing, so by the time my guests arrive, I have little appetite! But once they leave and I'm calm again, then I get hungry and eat the leftovers.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by LGBurns:
Oh, I definitely eat. I have the sneeking suspicion that I don't really cook for my guests--I just use them as an excuse to cook fancy stuff for myself.

Yup, that's me! Since I usually cook our absolute favorites - things I don't normally prepare just for the two of us - I end up eating. No way am I going to pass up those great potstickers or those yummy mushroom crescents since they don't make the menu except for special occasions!!! And like Bluemoose, I like to have plenty done ahead of time so that I avoid that burn out. I like to enjoy my whole party - the people, the wine, and, especially the food.

[Lynn B]

I'm a snacker AND an EATER!!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Lynn

[carolyn.1]

It depends on what type of gathering I am having. Over the last 3 years I have thrown 2 weddings/receptions (DD) and this year DH 50th surprise b-day. The receptions/b-day were done at my home with about 150 guests at each reception and 80 guests for the b-day. (The food was southern BBQ pig with fixings-not catered) I could not look at food, it was scarey because I was so hungry that my stomach was growling and I had not eaten all day, if I tried to eat I'd start to get sick (I'm sure it was nerves)
But, if I fix holiday meals with family and friends --no problem I eat like a horse--but if I go to someone else's house for say a cocktail party, I can't eat.
Same nausea feeling.
Carolyn--

[Leanne]

I have to say, I always eat - no doubt.

[beccathebaker]

Yes- I definately eat and sometimes have to hold back so that I am not going on and on about how yummy the food is! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I'm usually famished after all of the hard work!

[heeter]

I'm a picker while I cook so I've just about had my fill by the time it gets on the table and am ready to move onto some other taste.

Almost embarrassed to write that down - Heather

[This message has been edited by heeter (edited 06-26-2001).]

[Shirley Panek]

I'm with you, Gail. Usually I'm starving when I'm making the food, but I'm not sure if it's the aroma of the food that fills me up, but I find myself not really that hungry. Maybe I'll snack a little, but not much. Maybe it's the new "fad diet". http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Shirley

[clairea]

Originally posted by heeter:
I'm a picker while I cook so I've just about had my fill by the time it gets on the table.

Almost embarrassed to write that down - Heather


I do the same thing, but then I often don't want to let on how much I picked, so I end up eating again even though I am not hungry -- now that's embarrasing!


[This message has been edited by clairea (edited 06-26-2001).]

[gertdog]

Yup, I eat. Although, like Gail, I do tend to be exhausted by the process of preparing food for guests. I think I eat to replenish my energy!