Fusspots

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Posted at 12:00PM, 28 August 2009 by Claire Webb - Writer

We all dislike something. For some, it's sultanas in their curry or tomatoes; others draw the line at Heston Blumenthal's mustard ice cream.

Personally, I consider mayonnaise the devil's condiment. But while it's all very well heaping hated veggies upon the plate of those we love too dearly to indulge, what's the cook to do with pernickety guests - bin the couscous and temper the spice? Or dish up regardless? I favour the latter approach.

The picky eater's sensitive nose quivers at anything resembling a vitamin

There are several species of fussy eaters. First come the plain old picky ones, who have never outgrown the kids' menu. They range from the chap who can't stand mushrooms to the one subsisting on white bread - without crusts - smothered in ketchup. The picky eater's sensitive nose quivers at anything resembling a vitamin, yet he forces down second helpings of dessert.

Next up is Ms Faddy. Last time she demanded unsweetened soya; this week she prefers her milk unpasteurised. Ms Faddy believes peanut butter is cancerous and a daily shot of wheatgrass is essential to the wellbeing of her future grandchildren. At least she's given up her raw food regime. And of course, there's no one more faddish than Ms Faddy's unhappy cousin, the dieter...

The dieter is a tortured diner. He recoils from the goat's cheese starter and fastidiously scrapes the pastry off your lovingly made quiche. For pudding, he nibbles an apple while his eyes gobble up the white chocolate muffins. Tomorrow he'll ease his hangover (it's hard to stay sober on 1000 calories a day) with a litre of coke and triple bacon panini.

By far the most maddening fusspot is the girl with the self-diagnosed food intolerance. Her GP wasn't convinced, but she knows it's serious because what's-her-name, that footballer's wife, suffers from the same thing. She no longer touches wheat, dairy or sugar snap peas (these last bring her out in hives). Like a proud parent, she's never happier than when discussing her gastric exploits.

So, how to cater for such precious palates? I like to talk loudly about the long hours spent slaving over a hot stove, before revealing this is great-granny's secret recipe, bequeathed on her deathbed. Feed the dieters fibs about low-fat recipes and how skimmed milk gives it that delicious creamy texture, honest. Feed the rest stiff drinks until they forget their good intentions. If all else fails, serve white bread with ketchup and make a beeline for the nearest takeaway.

Comments

Sallym

28 August, 2:59PM
Sallym

I know exactly what you mean. I've got a friend who has always said she absolutely hates coffee. One day I came home to find her glugging a large mug of it. I questioned her choice. She told me that she'd heard it boosts your metabolism, and that she would burn more cals in the gym if she downed a cup before every workout. Now, I don't know if that's true, but you could definitely spin some similar lines to any calorie-shy dinner guest. "Oh, haven't you heard, chocolate's the new celery"...

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mandy

28 August, 5:04PM
mandy

One good thing about living in France, you never have to worry about faddy eaters! "Vegetarian" is a rude word over here! The French tend to be a bit suspicious of anything "English" but after a lengthy aperitif anything goes!

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Belit

28 August, 7:15PM
Belit

I cater to anyone with an actual illness, like coeliac disease or nut allergy. Fads and preferences are not my responsibility. When I invite I make an effort, I cook fairly well, I set a pretty table, and I fully expect adults to be polite - with me and with other guests. I don't care if they don't finish their plate, but I think it's just plain rude to expect a host to tailormake according to their likes and dislikes and to inform everyone and his neighbour about what he or she will and will not eat. If it's that important you might as well consider to not accept invitations to private homes, and opt for restaurant dinner parties. There you can tell them exactly what you want.

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poppysuze

29 August, 8:05AM
poppysuze

After being a vegetarian for 40+ years I have become accustomed to, in the past, when eating out having an option of vegetables/salad only! Never one to make a fuss was quite happy to enjoy what was offered to me! Friends aware of my diet always made a great effort when invited to their home as I did when they visited me! Of course it has changed over the years, many restaurants have several vegetarian options available, other than the usual macaroni cheese. . . I have to agree with Mandy, I visit Paris regularly eating at their many varied restaurants, no vegetarian option is normally available but they are always willing to provide an excellent meal for me `meat free` and with plenty of bread, delicious :o)

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Jon

29 August, 10:00AM
Jon

Why would you be so rude as to invite someone to your house and then cook them a meal you knew they couldn't eat? I've never understood that idea. If I'm cooking for someone I want them to like it, not just me.

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kittendothroar

30 August, 8:43PM
kittendothroar

I used to get stressed inviting certain really fussy people over, now I just don't invite them and always eat out instead with them! Yes, we all have things we would rather not eat (dried apricots or smoked fish, personally!) but you cannot cater to everyones taste. With our regular guests I know their tastes pretty well and take their major dislikes into consideration, however sometimes I just serve up what I want to make and like it or lump it, people will eat if they are hungry ;-)

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janey

31 August, 10:33AM
janey

I couldn't agree more.I think the problem with many faddy eaters is that they have been brought up on a surfeit of processed foods high in fat, salt and sugar.it's no wonder they cannot tolerate the different flavours that come from homecooked foods.My advice to them is persevere there is a whole world of culinary delights out there.

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StormyRaincloud

31 August, 1:40PM
StormyRaincloud

Not necessarily dinner guest, I don't have time for dinner parties, but kid's friends drive me bonkers. They don't eat this, they don't eat that. Well tough then! My son has a friend that will only eat sausages! I blame the parents. I have 7 healthy, happy kids, who obviously have their likes and dislikes, but have grown up eating and trying new things with open minds and will eat mostly anything. I definitely don't pander to deliberate pickiness, never have, never will.

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abbey

31 August, 5:48PM
abbey

I think fussy eaters are a sign of an affluent society. I bet there were not many fussy eaters when rationing was around!

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Nicola

1 September, 8:14AM
Nicola

Well, I was brought up to always finish what was fed to me, no matter how much I disliked it! As a child i always remember one specific meal at a friends house. We had cheese pancakes, which I always thought were quite disgusting...too rich and cheesy (I love cheese and pancakes, just not together!). I was given two, so I ate two and felt a bit sick. Then it was time for pudding....a chocolate pancake, on the same plate, which I really didn't want, but still I forced it down. Not everyone is brought up like this, but I have to say I find it very rude if someone was to pick bits out, leave half a meal or tell me that they 'don't like mushrooms'. Well, tough luck! Fussy eaters really annoy me! Those with intolerances and even vegetarians I will make a special effort for, but not preferences.

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tash

2 September, 4:26PM
tash

At one point or another for the past two years, my fiance and I have been on a candida diet. That means no wheat, sugar, full-fat dairy, yeast etc. You can still eat well, believe me! Whenever we've gone to friends or family, they've made food to accommodate us. And I've made food for them when they've been over. I think it shows how much you care for your friends and family to make the effort for them. Even a 'normal' dinner party requires effort, so a little bit extra is definitely appreciated!

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Kate

3 September, 8:22AM
Kate

I can't stand faddy eaters but I do sympathise with those people with a genuine food allergy or intolerance. Its difficult enough wading through menus in restaurants and cafes if they ever venture to eat out so let's not be too harsh when inviting such unfortunate friends to our own homes for a bit of nosh!

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Kate

3 September, 8:27AM
Kate

I can't abide faddy eaters but I do sympathise with those who suffer from a genuine food intolerance. Its diffiicult enough for them wading through menus in restaurants so lets not be too harsh if inviting these unfortunate friends for a bit of nosh!

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Lisa

4 September, 7:15AM
Lisa

I wholeheartedly agree with Nicola and Kate. Food intolerance is one thing, plain fussiness is another. Having just spent two weeks with a 'friend' whose son only ate jaffa cakes for breakfast and either sausage and chips or spag bol for dinner, I was ready to overlook my daughters dislike of fat on her bacon!!! Fussiness is all about control and attention!!!

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stephilou

6 September, 11:45AM
stephilou

Why would you invite guests for dinner and give them food you know they won't eat/enjoy? I myself am a renal patient and have quite a strict medical diet. This doesn't mean eating teasteless bland food at all but I think it does scare people who are catering for me!! But I always enjoy giving a dinner party for friends regardless of their tastes, likes and fads!! We have friends who dislike many foods and one who is coeliac, but I look at this as a challenge and enjoy planning what I can feed them! It is always really appreciated. It makes me feel good that my guests felt welcome!

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