General Etiquette > Family and Children

How to chase my culinary student brother out of my kitchen.

(1/6) > >>

willow08:
I am hosting Dh's family Christmas Eve at my house for the first time ever. I am understandably nervous, but were both great cooks, so I think we can handle it. Plus, my Mom and Dad are coming to stay for Christmas and Mom is a wonderful cook and said she would help with whatever we need. And she will do just that, help, not take over.

My parents are also bringing my 22 year old brother, who is a culinary student in one of the better known cooking schools. Brett, is a sweet guy, usually means the best, but he's also irresponsible, immature, and sometimes arrogant. When he cooks, he expects the host to have THE BEST ingredients possible and if you don't he will go out and buy $15 sea salt or a $45 meat cut and expect you to pay for it. He will also dirty every dish you have and not clean up because "I cooked." His efforts are usually good, but a little too "refined" for my tastes. (Beef so rare it bleeds when you cut it, etc.)

When I cook, Brett will watch me and point out my mistakes, telling me how to do it better or just push me out of the way to do it himself. This irritates the crud out of Dh and myself. We do not want him trying to take over our kitchen over Christmas. This is our dinner and we want to cook it. We will appreciate any help he offers, but we will not put up with attitude or being shoved out of the way in our own home. We've told him and my Mom this. Mom's usually pretty supportive and definitely recognizes that Brett does this.

Any suggestions on how to maintain control of my kitchen in my own home?

Bethalize:

--- Quote from: willow08 on December 19, 2006, 07:19:50 AM ---Any suggestions on how to maintain control of my kitchen in my own home?

--- End quote ---

Distraction techniques. As he's so skilled, get him to carve the garnishes. Otherwise, just tell him what you told us. It's about boundaries, not ability, and he is (probably unintentionally) disrespecting you and your home.

freakyfemme:
"Oh, Brother, you have to cook all the time at school, you need a break.  Besides, how will I ever become as skilled as you are if I never get any practice?"

fklwmn:
"My house, my kitchen. Get out!"

hehehe... darn, does it show that my brother and I have a slightly toxic relatinship? :-p

LissaR1:
Well, is he the kind of person you can talk to before hand?  Just tell him very honestly that this is your dinner, and although you appreciate the fact he's an excellent cook, you enjoy cooking as well and would really like to do this for your family? 

If that doesn't work, I agree with distraction techniques.  Have some jobs on hand for him to do that keep him occupied and preferably out of the kitchen all togeteher.  Or if you have a willing volunteer (since it sounds like your brother is a pretty decent guy in general), explain the problem to them and see if they can keep him tied to a game or something.  Ooh- there you go.  Get a game going (preferably a fast-paced one) among your guests while you and hubby do dinner.  It keeps everyone entertained, gets them having a good time, and keeps your brother out of the kitchen (hopefully).

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page