Dog in the kitchen!

[J Wilks]

What is the position when hosting a dinner party, if a dog has access to the home/kitchen? 
Does it cause problems with health or are people relaxed
About animals & children??

[Lianne C]

Hi, didn't want to read and run so thought I'd leave you my opinion on your question.

Personally, as a guest, it would really put me off knowing there was a dog around with access to the kitchen. Saying that, I am not a dog lover and I know many people are and wouldn't be at all bothered. I suppose all you could do is find some way of informing guests beforehand of the presence of a dog and let them make their own minds up.

With children, hmm, I am undecided. I have 3 little ones and plan on shipping them off to nannas on the night of my supper club but have read lovely stories about children being around to greet and serve and generally help out. Guess it would depend on age, how much other help you have etc. Can't think of anything worse than main course ready to go out and one of the children starts crying or fighting or having a tantrum etc!

Like I said, just my personal opinion and i'm sure other people will have lots more to contribute x

 

[J Wilks]

Lianne, thanks for your reply. I appreciate your view as it is something that concerns me even though I always am very hygiene conscious and careful. The flip side is lots of people cook everyday with animals in their homes. This is home cooked food after all. A real dilemma !!

[msmarmitelover]

I'm not a dog lover either so I'd feel very uncomfortable with a dog in the house so one in the kitchen fills me with disgust. Sorry! But ugh they are all hairy and dribbly, yuk. And I hate their barking and their awful brown stinky food. 

But I realise that there are dog lovers in the world and a doggy household would probably be an asset. So I think it's worth warning people. 

Kids: my teenager waitresses so that's not a problem. Younger kids, it depends. I say younger children can attend on daytime events. In the evening however, if people have paid to come and there are little kids demanding attention and hanging about, it may be off-putting. As a host, it depends on your kids really....

[Sue Robson]

I wouldn't be happy to have a dog around while I was eating.  I am not a doggy person but I don't think people with dogs realise how smelly they are.  I allow dogs in my pub because its a village pub so I have to really, but not in the eating part and definitely not in the kitchen

[J Wilks]

Thanks for your thoughts, Claire.  It's good to know that some would consider it ok to have a dog. I quite like the idea of the dog washing up you know, thought my supper club first could be 'the dog's dinner' theme with bone shaped biscuits and everyone eats from stainless steel bowls.... Joking!!! Anyway, as I'm v honest, clean & love my dog, I'd hope IF I start a club, somehow I can balance everything even if it means getting a dog sitter instead of a baby sitter and my guests would be comfortable in my home, with my food, my way.