Your Holiday Table

[Anonymous]

We use china, a tablecloth, cloth napkins, etc., and there's technically a centerpiece, but it still looks imperfect. The centerpiece is usually something my kids made. So it's nicer-than-normal, but definitely not Pinterest-worthy or fancy.

[Anonymous]

This is so funny, because we do the exact opposite--we use disposable when we host big family meals. I hate that feeling at the end of the day when the kitchen is just overflowing with things to wash. I feel like it takes away from enjoying people's company post-meal. So other than the unavoidables (pots/pans/etc.) it's all disposable. I try to buy the "classy" stuff but ultimately I don't really care what it looks like, as long as it holds up to a full plate of food and the forks and knives don't break mid-cut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok fancy people, answer me this. If you have a centerpiece on the table how do you fit all the serving dishes you need for a big meal like Thanksgiving? Or is the food left in the kitchen and people take their own plates to fill then sit back down.

Oh goodness, we always serve buffet-style from either the kitchen island or from a sideboard, never putting everything on the table. I cannot stand serving big meals like that family-style; nobody wants to politely pass, pass, pass, having to hold heavy dishes for kids or people who can't handle heavy items. It takes forever, the food gets cold. We keep our gravy on low on the stove, dressing is hot in the crock pot.

We pass rolls and butter at the table, and if one person gets up for seconds, they might bring around the green beans to serve whomever else wants it, too. But mostly it's just buffet style, go back up for what you want whenever, help the kids if you can.

[Anonymous]

Please do not serve people. It’s rude and wasteful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please do not serve people. It’s rude and wasteful.

I agree 100%. Not everyone likes everything; people have diets they want to follow; people have restrictions and even allergies that they don't wish to discuss or defend. Never never ever ever put a plate of food in front of a grown adult unless they specifically ask you to or agree to that when you offer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not serve people. It’s rude and wasteful.

I agree 100%. Not everyone likes everything; people have diets they want to follow; people have restrictions and even allergies that they don't wish to discuss or defend. Never never ever ever put a plate of food in front of a grown adult unless they specifically ask you to or agree to that when you offer.

This is so interesting to me. I am a chef and plating the meal a certain way is part of the experience. In our home, our Thanksgiving guests are our families and we are well aware of any food allergies. Since I’m asked to host every year, I guess nobody thinks I am rude (shrug). You, on the other hand, both sound like very rude dinner party guests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not serve people. It’s rude and wasteful.

I agree 100%. Not everyone likes everything; people have diets they want to follow; people have restrictions and even allergies that they don't wish to discuss or defend. Never never ever ever put a plate of food in front of a grown adult unless they specifically ask you to or agree to that when you offer.

This is so interesting to me. I am a chef and plating the meal a certain way is part of the experience. In our home, our Thanksgiving guests are our families and we are well aware of any food allergies. Since I’m asked to host every year, I guess nobody thinks I am rude (shrug). You, on the other hand, both sound like very rude dinner party guests.

99% of people here are not dining with chefs on thanksgiving. We are sitting with our family and in-laws. You are the exception not the rule. We didn’t order a plate, so we shouldn’t be served like a child. Not to mention over and under serving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok fancy people, answer me this. If you have a centerpiece on the table how do you fit all the serving dishes you need for a big meal like Thanksgiving? Or is the food left in the kitchen and people take their own plates to fill then sit back down.

Food is served in a buffet. Only a few things like bread go on the table.

Same for us. We put all of the food on a sideboard and a table that extends from the sideboard. We also use 2 other little tables. We have a big group and we are crammed together at the table so there is only space for the place settings, s&p shakers, water pitchers, wine, candles, centerpieces, etc. Only the bread/butter and water pitchers go on the table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not serve people. It’s rude and wasteful.

I agree 100%. Not everyone likes everything; people have diets they want to follow; people have restrictions and even allergies that they don't wish to discuss or defend. Never never ever ever put a plate of food in front of a grown adult unless they specifically ask you to or agree to that when you offer.

This is so interesting to me. I am a chef and plating the meal a certain way is part of the experience. In our home, our Thanksgiving guests are our families and we are well aware of any food allergies. Since I’m asked to host every year, I guess nobody thinks I am rude (shrug). You, on the other hand, both sound like very rude dinner party guests.

99% of people here are not dining with chefs on thanksgiving. We are sitting with our family and in-laws. You are the exception not the rule. We didn’t order a plate, so we shouldn’t be served like a child. Not to mention over and under serving.

Wow. Way to be rude to someone offering their perspective. Sounds like you need to take a chill pill PP...and apologize. Not the chef. (DP)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not serve people. It’s rude and wasteful.

I agree 100%. Not everyone likes everything; people have diets they want to follow; people have restrictions and even allergies that they don't wish to discuss or defend. Never never ever ever put a plate of food in front of a grown adult unless they specifically ask you to or agree to that when you offer.

This is so interesting to me. I am a chef and plating the meal a certain way is part of the experience. In our home, our Thanksgiving guests are our families and we are well aware of any food allergies. Since I’m asked to host every year, I guess nobody thinks I am rude (shrug). You, on the other hand, both sound like very rude dinner party guests.

Hello, duh, restaurants are different than someone’s home. A chef is not insulted if you don’t eat Aunt Edna’s creamed spinach. When you order, you can request a substitution or talk through allergies. You can give a sever or chef literally an order, as you are the paying customer. It’s different for a GUEST.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not serve people. It’s rude and wasteful.

I agree 100%. Not everyone likes everything; people have diets they want to follow; people have restrictions and even allergies that they don't wish to discuss or defend. Never never ever ever put a plate of food in front of a grown adult unless they specifically ask you to or agree to that when you offer.

This is so interesting to me. I am a chef and plating the meal a certain way is part of the experience. In our home, our Thanksgiving guests are our families and we are well aware of any food allergies. Since I’m asked to host every year, I guess nobody thinks I am rude (shrug). You, on the other hand, both sound like very rude dinner party guests.

99% of people here are not dining with chefs on thanksgiving. We are sitting with our family and in-laws. You are the exception not the rule. We didn’t order a plate, so we shouldn’t be served like a child. Not to mention over and under serving.

Wow. Way to be rude to someone offering their perspective. Sounds like you need to take a chill pill PP...and apologize. Not the chef. (DP)

Uhh Chef called people rude first. PP was correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not serve people. It’s rude and wasteful.

I agree 100%. Not everyone likes everything; people have diets they want to follow; people have restrictions and even allergies that they don't wish to discuss or defend. Never never ever ever put a plate of food in front of a grown adult unless they specifically ask you to or agree to that when you offer.

This is so interesting to me. I am a chef and plating the meal a certain way is part of the experience. In our home, our Thanksgiving guests are our families and we are well aware of any food allergies. Since I’m asked to host every year, I guess nobody thinks I am rude (shrug). You, on the other hand, both sound like very rude dinner party guests.

99% of people here are not dining with chefs on thanksgiving. We are sitting with our family and in-laws. You are the exception not the rule. We didn’t order a plate, so we shouldn’t be served like a child. Not to mention over and under serving.

I still would never think it was rude if I was a guest in someone’s home and they put a plate of food in front of me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not serve people. It’s rude and wasteful.

I agree 100%. Not everyone likes everything; people have diets they want to follow; people have restrictions and even allergies that they don't wish to discuss or defend. Never never ever ever put a plate of food in front of a grown adult unless they specifically ask you to or agree to that when you offer.

This is so interesting to me. I am a chef and plating the meal a certain way is part of the experience. In our home, our Thanksgiving guests are our families and we are well aware of any food allergies. Since I’m asked to host every year, I guess nobody thinks I am rude (shrug). You, on the other hand, both sound like very rude dinner party guests.

Hello, duh, restaurants are different than someone’s home. A chef is not insulted if you don’t eat Aunt Edna’s creamed spinach. When you order, you can request a substitution or talk through allergies. You can give a sever or chef literally an order, as you are the paying customer. It’s different for a GUEST.

A "guest" should graciously accept what he or she is given. Did you grow up under a rock?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not serve people. It’s rude and wasteful.

I agree 100%. Not everyone likes everything; people have diets they want to follow; people have restrictions and even allergies that they don't wish to discuss or defend. Never never ever ever put a plate of food in front of a grown adult unless they specifically ask you to or agree to that when you offer.

This is so interesting to me. I am a chef and plating the meal a certain way is part of the experience. In our home, our Thanksgiving guests are our families and we are well aware of any food allergies. Since I’m asked to host every year, I guess nobody thinks I am rude (shrug). You, on the other hand, both sound like very rude dinner party guests.

99% of people here are not dining with chefs on thanksgiving. We are sitting with our family and in-laws. You are the exception not the rule. We didn’t order a plate, so we shouldn’t be served like a child. Not to mention over and under serving.

I still would never think it was rude if I was a guest in someone’s home and they put a plate of food in front of me.

+1 I cannot believe the lack of manners in some of these posters. Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not serve people. It’s rude and wasteful.

I agree 100%. Not everyone likes everything; people have diets they want to follow; people have restrictions and even allergies that they don't wish to discuss or defend. Never never ever ever put a plate of food in front of a grown adult unless they specifically ask you to or agree to that when you offer.

This is so interesting to me. I am a chef and plating the meal a certain way is part of the experience. In our home, our Thanksgiving guests are our families and we are well aware of any food allergies. Since I’m asked to host every year, I guess nobody thinks I am rude (shrug). You, on the other hand, both sound like very rude dinner party guests.

99% of people here are not dining with chefs on thanksgiving. We are sitting with our family and in-laws. You are the exception not the rule. We didn’t order a plate, so we shouldn’t be served like a child. Not to mention over and under serving.

I still would never think it was rude if I was a guest in someone’s home and they put a plate of food in front of me.

Would you think the guest was rude if they only ate half the plate? Didn’t care for your green bean casserole and lumpy potatoes?