Naturally, we’re in the era of organic-, gluten-free- and vegan-everything. BUT, that doesn’t mean the host is responsible for you (and your keto kick) among a sea of other guests. According to Cordon, “[You] can’t expect hosts to accommodate every trendy health kick, diet or cleanse. If you are on strict eating regimen by choice, I would say eat what you can on the plate and definitely don’t draw attention to why you choose not to eat something. (Comments about why bread is terrible for you may make the person sitting next to you, who just downed four dinner rolls, feel a little sheepish!) If you are worried about being hungry, either eat a little something beforehand or just decline altogether. Remember, being gracious is about putting others first, and you never want to offend the person who kindly invited you into their home.”
2. Spending all of your time in the kitchen
“Choose something that can be made ahead of time and served in one dish at the table,” says Fraser. “The key to great hosting is not being stuck in the kitchen when your guests have arrived! Also, leave dessert to the pastry chefs who make it best (at least for someone like me, whose baking abilities are limited) and opt for something easier, like coffee, post-dinner.” To that end, she also speaks to the importance of being ‘intentional’ when you’re entertaining (which is something she picked up while living in France): “The French are so intentional with their meals—from the menu to the table setting, it’s intentional but casual, with the ultimate goal of people sitting at the tables eating and drinking for hours on end.”