Party food Australians like to avoid

These are the dishes Aussies dread being served at dinner parties.

Kelly Pigram

less than 2 min read

January 7, 2024 - 9:06AM

If you’ve ever offered to host a dinner party then immediately regretted your decision because of stressing over the menu, we’ve got some bad news for you: Taste.com.au readers are pretty picky about what they like to be served at a dinner party.

We asked our audience: “What’s the dish you dread being served at your friend’s houses?”. The results were pretty surprising.

From mushrooms to good old spag bol and all types of seafood, here are a few things to strike off your dinner party list.

Spag bol

This classic dish was mentioned many times in our poll, because “not everyone makes it well”, apparently. Better use our top-rated recipe next time (it never fails).

Offal or “any organs”

From trotters to livers, tongue, kidneys, lamb fries, crumbed brains and more, people hate to be served any type of “organ” at a dinner party. Fair enough…

Chicken

Yep, even chicken made the list. Because apparently taste.com.au readers are surprisingly picky with how it’s cooked (only a breast fillet, no thigh, not overcooked, not undercooked, etc…) Best to avoid altogether then?

Retro dinners

Classic meals like curried sausages and apricot chicken all made multiple appearances on the list. We’re just as shocked as you!

Mushrooms

Surprisingly contentious, this ingredient made the list over and over again thanks to its slimy texture if not cooked correctly. Better learn the basics, then!

Anything with coriander

Of course this divisive herb made the list. It’s scientifically proven to taste like soap to some people, while others get a more pleasant, herby flavour.

Cob loaves

Okay, this one’s personal. You either love ‘em or hate ‘em, I guess. We definitely know where we stand…

Celery

The vegetable that “has no flavour” made many appearances on the list. Have these people never had a celery, apple and walnut salad? Or our amazing celery dip?