Top kitchen faux-pas for dinner party hosts - like testing food with fingers

23 August 2023 , 13:22

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Some of the top kitchen mishaps dinner party hosts will not admit to in front of their guests include dipping a finger in the food to test the flavour (17%) – and continuing to cook with ingredients they have accidentally dropped on the floor (11%).

One in ten hosts have pulled a hair out of a meal after plating up, but not told their guests – and 18% have even fished around in the bin and pulled out some discarded food packaging, to double-check the cooking instructions.

Other kitchen secrets they hide from their guests include preparing food without washing their hands, using dirty plates or utensils and pretending they were clean – and even sneezing in the food but keeping it quiet.

The survey of 2,000 adults found that three-quarters (76%) feel the pressure to make sure friends and family are having a good time when they host a meal in their home.

And four in ten (41%) admit they are glad when it's over – as half of those polled worry that something will go wrong.

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Some of the top things Brits have struggled with while hosting include cooking a meal that didn't turn out as expected (30%), burning something they were cooking (14%), and experiencing a red wine spillage (10%).

And 17% have found themselves not quite ready for the arrival of their guests – while 15% admit they did not spend enough time talking to those they were hosting.

One in seven dinner party hosts have burnt part of the meal they were preparing for their guests (Ritz)

The study was commissioned by cracker brand Ritz, which has teamed up with former Come Dine With Me contestant, Kevin Riley – aka “Whisk Man” – to showcase his hosting hiccups in “Host Right with Ritz”, narrated by iconic TikTok comedian, Shabaz Says.

Kevin Riley said: “I may have become synonymous with whisks, but my culinary skills have definitely improved since the nation saw me last.

“Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of leaning on all-round crowd pleasers that are always ready to go, even if you’re not. After this, I hope the nation can learn something from my attempt at hosting redemption.”

It also emerged 64% feel stressed when guests don’t arrive on time, which leaves 92% uninspired to host again.

For 11%, hosting is seen as more pressured than meeting a new partner’s parents, while 10% feel more relaxed while public speaking. Meanwhile, 8% would be less stressed during a job interview, and 7% rate moving house as easier than entertaining.

To avoid a mishap, 49% practise new dishes in advance – but a brave 41% attempt an unfamiliar recipe for the first time on the night.

And although 10% of those claim it was a success, 64% do have a “fail-safe” dish they always turn to – with pasta being the top go-to meal for 25%, followed by lasagne and spaghetti Bolognese as other popular choices.

And 8% of those polled, via OnePoll.com, will opt for a cheese board, to avoid any unnecessary drama.

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Ella Jonas, for Ritz at Mondelez International, said: “Incorporating a simple dinner party classic dish or two can help reduce the pressure of hosting.

“This allows you to focus on welcoming your guests and having a great time together, rather than worrying how your soufflé is going to set, or getting your meat the perfect colour.

“Sometimes hosting can go wrong – be that overcooking your meal, or rushing to get your home ready as guests arrive – but relying on a dinner party classic as part of your menu will help you glide through even the most stressful of dinners.”

BRITS’ TOP 10 HOSTING SECRET MISHAPS: