Restaurant

Not OP but in a very similar boat, appreciate all the suggestions!

If you’re not going to cook can you host them at a restaurant instead?

Take out is fine and so is a caterer.

I think sushi is a good takeout option.

Take out is fine. I agree with others, transfer to nice plates.

Anonymous wrote:See if you can find someone to cook for you on Shef.

If you do something like this then do a trial run first.

Have the meal catered.

Takeout is totally fine! But yes, serve it on real plates. And find something that you can order ahead of time (cold/easy to reheat without it tasting bad/will look nicely plated after delivery) so you’re not dealing with delivery stuff while hosting your guests. Simple finger food and an offer of alcohol before dinner (again, nice plates and glasses) is all you need.

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.

Roast chicken and beef tenderloin are relatively simple to prepare as a main. One challenge is seasoning correctly, so taste before serving.

Food should taste great, but entertaining can be more about appearance. Roasted vegetables are easy. Colorful vegetables, or even fingerling potatoes go a long way to make a dish feel unique. An artisan pasta is also easy. Baguette with different spreads can make a colorful display. Salads are also easy.

A nice flourless chocolate cake or assortment of berries with ice cream for dessert.

I would resist the need to impress. Simple is often best if you haven't practiced a dish.

I've found Donna Hay has many simple dishes for entertaining. The choices can feel overwhelming, and there are more involved dishes. You might get ideas from her though.
https://www.donnahay.com.au/recipes/entertaining/

Anonymous wrote:See if you can find someone to cook for you on Shef.

+1

Or I used to know a few SAHMs who were very good at cooking and did this for hire for people in your type of situation.

Cheeseballs are more assembly than cooking and they’re retro but people inhale them. https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/classic-cheese-ball/ Or you could do devils on horseback, also more assembly than cooking (it’s baked, but you’re not “cooking”).

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.

Takeout is not rude at all.

See if you can find someone to cook for you on Shef.

I am confident enough in myself to know, cooking is not one of my talents. I am hosting a very important business acquaintance and their spouse at my house. Would it be considered bad manners to order take out? Any ideas of something easy I can make myself and put out for appetizers so at least something is "homemade"? Thanks for the help!