You’ve invited someone to dinner. Say, a couple. A couple you’ve never asked to dinner before, but you’ve wanted to. You spend the afternoon or the previous evening preparing a French country dish (or whatever) for them. Say, coq au vin. You’re quite proud of your creation. It looks wonderful. It tastes wonderful. It shows imagination, effort, care and, yes, love. You’re eager to serve it to them, because, well, it’s special. It’s worth being invited to dinner for this.
Richard, this is hilarious! You have my sympathies. In Manners Class 101, they must have been munching on granola and couldn't hear the part about respect and consideration over the noise. Your coq au vin sounds delicious, and I hope you were able to enjoy it the next day. I had a similar experience with a vegan. Her holier-than-thou attitude actually inspired me to write a short story called, "Who Kills The Bugs For The Dalai Lama?" It was published in a literary journal. I'm mostly plant based, but prefer to take the "When in Rome" attitude and appreciate other people's culinary offerings. I do let people know foods I definitely can't eat ahead of time. I've also learned to ask people I invite over, "Is there anything you don't eat?" Thanks for sharing this experience in such a delightful way!
And a friend - a SUPERB cook by the way - had a “vegetarian“ guest offhandedly mention during the completely and scrupulously prepared vegetarian meal that she did enjoy a good steak now and then. Where’s that serving fork?!?!?
I feel exactly the same way! I always ask about dietary restrictions now before having new people to dinner. I had a friend who was on some Chinese diet who came and boiled herself some lettuce one night. It ruined dinner for me just looking at that sodden mess of green!
Richard, I love it when you get mad--such a rare occurrence. This is terrific. I think all cooks have felt this way at one point or another. My father could be especially aggravating as he got older, turning his nose up at just about anything that wasn't plain Maine. So tiresome! Have you seen The Taste of Things?
Justifiably emotional, Richard!
Richard, this is hilarious! You have my sympathies. In Manners Class 101, they must have been munching on granola and couldn't hear the part about respect and consideration over the noise. Your coq au vin sounds delicious, and I hope you were able to enjoy it the next day. I had a similar experience with a vegan. Her holier-than-thou attitude actually inspired me to write a short story called, "Who Kills The Bugs For The Dalai Lama?" It was published in a literary journal. I'm mostly plant based, but prefer to take the "When in Rome" attitude and appreciate other people's culinary offerings. I do let people know foods I definitely can't eat ahead of time. I've also learned to ask people I invite over, "Is there anything you don't eat?" Thanks for sharing this experience in such a delightful way!
And a friend - a SUPERB cook by the way - had a “vegetarian“ guest offhandedly mention during the completely and scrupulously prepared vegetarian meal that she did enjoy a good steak now and then. Where’s that serving fork?!?!?
I feel exactly the same way! I always ask about dietary restrictions now before having new people to dinner. I had a friend who was on some Chinese diet who came and boiled herself some lettuce one night. It ruined dinner for me just looking at that sodden mess of green!
We need to meet! I have a story about the most egregiously destructive vegetarian fuck heads imaginable.
Richard, I love it when you get mad--such a rare occurrence. This is terrific. I think all cooks have felt this way at one point or another. My father could be especially aggravating as he got older, turning his nose up at just about anything that wasn't plain Maine. So tiresome! Have you seen The Taste of Things?
Love. This. Post.
Wish I had had the opportunity to enjoy your coq au vin. Cheers, Richard!
Richard, I wish I could have tasted your coq au vin. Hilarious post and brilliant title. I hope the other guest praised your dish profusely.
Haha—vegetarian schmegetarian. I’ve been mostly VEGAN for 30-plus years. (At least I’m thoughtful enough to mention this to folks beforehand.)
Language, Richard!!!!! (hahahahahahahahahahahahaha) They were extremely rude and oblivious.