When you host a party, you have a unique opportunity to show off your culinary skills, all while enhancing the party with complementary flavors. However, this could quickly turn sour if you don’t choose your dishes carefully. To understand what to avoid, here are 18 foods that could ruin your reputation as a party host.
Overly Spicy Dishes
As AllRecipes reminds us, not everyone can handle the heat of spicy food, and this is sometimes genetic, so it’s unwise to bring spice to a party, at least without warning people. Consider labeling your spicy food so that no one has any uncomfortable surprises. Better still, don’t go overboard with the spice, and make sure that your dishes are flexible enough for all taste buds.
Raw Oysters
In an attempt to seem sophisticated, some people serve raw oysters at parties, but this can be a recipe for disaster. The risk of food poisoning is very high, so unless you really know what you’re doing, you’re playing with fire. Regardless of safety, not everyone appreciates the slimy texture and briny taste of oysters, so maybe give them a miss.
Durian Fruit
Famous for being one of the foulest-smelling foods in the world, durian fruit can instantly repel your guests. The pungent odor, often compared to rotten onions or raw sewage, can linger in your home long after the party ends. Even those who dare to try it may find the taste just as off-putting, so do reputation a favor and don’t bust out the durian fruit during a party.
Boiled Eggs
The sulfuric smell of boiled eggs can be unappealing and linger in the air, and they can also be messy, with bits of shell often sticking to the eggs, making them difficult to eat. For these reasons, serving them at a party might lead to more complaints than compliments, so just don’t do it.
Limburger Cheese
Even though it looks (and tastes) delicious to most people, Limburger cheese is notorious for its strong smell, much like other dairy products on this list. Some people even compare the smell to body odor, and this pungency could quickly overwhelm your party guests. So, unless you want to risk your reputation as a party host, stick to less offensive cheese options, of which there are plenty.
Stinky Cheese
Continuing from Limburger cheese, a lot of people love strong blue cheese, but others might be overwhelmed by the intense aroma of gym socks. Cheeses like Stilton or Roquefort can also dominate the senses, quickly stinking out the room and making it hard for guests to enjoy other foods. Instead, stick to milder cheeses, preventing your stilton from dominating your party.
Liver Pâté
There’s no denying that liver pâté can be incredibly tasty to some, but it’s an acquired taste, with its rich, metallic flavor not being for everyone. The spreadable texture may also be unappealing to some guests, so offering this delicacy without more familiar options could alienate a significant portion of your attendees.
Fish Sauce
While it’s true that fish sauce is an incredibly versatile ingredient, especially in Asian cuisines, it has a pungent aroma that could quickly stink out your party. Even the taste can overwhelm the taste buds of your guests, so it’s not wise to introduce it to a party crowd who is unfamiliar with its taste.
Canned Meat
If you want to ruin your reputation as a party host, go ahead and crack open some canned meat, perhaps some Spam. Joking aside, this is going to come across as cheap and unappetizing; the processed texture and salty taste might remind guests of less desirable dining experiences, so opt for fresh, high-quality meat instead.
Pickled Herring
The clue is in the name when it comes to pickled herring. This is an incredibly strong-flavored dish that combines the acquired tastes of pickles and strong fish, so it’s never going to be a hit among everyone. While it’s true that Scandinavian people absolutely love this dish, impressing a small handful of guests is never going to be worth scaring off the rest.
Fermented Tofu
Just like pickled herring, fermented tofu is another bad idea to bring out at a party. Once again, it’s famous for its intense smell and potent taste, making it a risky choice. As a general rule, if a food includes the word ‘pickled’ or ‘fermented,’ it’s common sense not to serve it up at a party.
Black Licorice
Some people love black licorice, but there’s no denying that it is a divisive treat, with people either loving it or hating it. The strong, anise-flavored candy can leave a lingering taste that many find unpleasant., so offering it as a party snack could result in more scrunched noses than smiles.
Blood Sausage
Anyone who has never tried blood sausages such as black pudding or kaszanka will immediately be put off when they learn of its main ingredient: blood. Most people who try it will realize it’s actually pretty inoffensive and tasty, but there’s just something about service blood sausage that isn’t really in the party spirit.
Head Cheese
Despite its misleading name, head cheese is not a cheese but a meat jelly made from the head of a pig or calf. We probably don’t need to say anymore; its unusual appearance and texture can be off-putting, so serving it up at a party could quickly destroy your reputation as a host.
Natto
If you’re into cooking Japanese cuisine, it’s best to check the preferences of your guests before serving it up at parties because it’s famous for its unusual preparations. A perfect example of this is Natto, a dish of fermented soybeans infamous for its sticky texture and strong, pungent smell. Always remember that just because you like a dish does not mean everyone else will.
Sardines
It doesn’t matter whether they’re fresh or canned; bringing sardines to a party is a terrible idea. Like most fish, they have a strong, fishy taste and aroma that not everyone enjoys. Their small size and bony texture can also make them difficult to eat, so they’re really not the best choice for party food.
Jellied Eels
A traditional dish in England, jellied eels are made from chopped eels boiled in a spiced stock that sets into a jelly. We really do not have to elaborate on why this is not appropriate food for a party, so if you’re inviting any British guests, kindly ask them to leave their slippery jellied eels at home.
Fried Insects
It’s common sense as to why you shouldn’t serve fried insects at a party. Interestingly, they are becoming increasingly popular in the Western world due to the sustainability and nutrition they provide when compared to traditional meats. However, no one wants to see insects in any form when they arrive at a party, so don’t make the mistake of serving them.
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