Hosting an important business acquaintance at our house. But I can't cook.

[Anonymous]

Definitely do NOT serve a cheese ball. NO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take out is fine and so is a caterer.

I think sushi is a good takeout option.

No sushi.

[Anonymous]

A charcuterie tray for appetizer is a nice touch.

[Anonymous]

Yes to take out, but serve on your nice dishes.

Maybe make a homemade dessert? Baking is easier than cooking, IMO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A charcuterie tray for appetizer is a nice touch.

This, no cooking involved. Just go to Trader Joe’s and pick some interesting things and arrange on a platter.

[Anonymous]

You can get a caterer to do it.

They may be too far out to do it but in Loudoun County, Savoir Faire catering is very good and they've done some family/business events for my in laws who are terrible cooks (but recognize they are a terrible cooks).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A charcuterie tray for appetizer is a nice touch.

This, no cooking involved. Just go to Trader Joe’s and pick some interesting things and arrange on a platter.

If you don't want to do that, Wegman's cheese department will assemble charcuterie boards for you with everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am someone who loves to cook, takes a lot of pride in my cooking, and entertaining. I think take out is totally fine! I agree that putting it on your own dishes and serving family style or from a buffet feels more formal than takeout dishes, and that I might splurge on a really fantastic dessert from a bakery.

If I was doing this, I would do one of two things.

1) I would get something that I don’t cook well enough for company. For me that would probably be Indian, Thai or barbecue, but you need to know your guests for this as these things are mostly love/hate.

2) Get a “safe” entree from some place like Balducci’s and then supplement with a delicious salad I make at home (my personal favorite right now is mixed greens with goat cheese, pepitas, pomegranate arils, berries, and white balsamic), really good bread, and either 1-2 simple sides you make yourself or store bought sides from the same place.

Balducci's is pretty good. My old boss used to sometimes host parties at his house and he would order everything from Balducci's and just pick it up.

[Anonymous]

I think takeout is fine, especially if you talk it up. "We really love this local barbecue place, the ribs are amazing, I think you'll love it!"

The other option is to pick up a frozen lasagne at somewhere like Litteri's or Vace, and serve that with a salad and a nice dessert.

[Anonymous]

Don’t serve lasagna

[Anonymous]

I have done with take out from Balduccis. The women at the deli counter told me how to heat the items, particularly the vegetables. I suspect my guests know what I did but the food is good so they are just happy for a nice meal.

[Anonymous]

When I've been to nice meals at someone's home where they didn't cook, they had gotten Balduccis or Dean/Deluca. You might be able to accomplish something similar through Whole Foods or Wegmans. And so much of the work involves serving and having drinks and things all set up and smooth

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Order takeout but transfer it to nice dishes. Put together a nice cheese plate with crackers and other things (olives, pickles, etc). Get a nice dessert from a bakery. Put it in a nice dish.

this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have done with take out from Balduccis. The women at the deli counter told me how to heat the items, particularly the vegetables. I suspect my guests know what I did but the food is good so they are just happy for a nice meal.

I went to a similar dinner where the hostess did this. I had no idea, I was so impressed by one of the dishes that I asked for the recipe. The hostess later 'confessed' to me the source. Since it was presented all in dishes, Ithought it was all homemade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Order takeout but transfer it to nice dishes. Put together a nice cheese plate with crackers and other things (olives, pickles, etc). Get a nice dessert from a bakery. Put it in a nice dish.

this

Another vote for this approach. No need to hide that you didn’t cook. Candor is good in relationships and why set expectations that will be a PITA to keep meeting? I get house over restaurant, but if the food is good, who cares who made it? (And I say this as someone who is a good cook).