How to Recommend a Dish for a Picky Eater

Photo Credit: Hillshire Farm

Dining out with a picky eater can be a daunting task. More so when you want to ensure they enjoy their meal without compromising your own culinary experience. You can navigate this challenge using these tips on how to recommend a dish that will satisfy even the fussiest eater:

1. Ask Open-Ended Questions: The first thing you need to do is find out the specific reasons for your date being choosy. This might lead you to discover if there are any allergies or dietary restrictions. It will also do you a world of good to ask about their favorite flavors, spices, and cuisines. Armed with this knowledge, you can consider their preference for crispy, soft, or chewy textures.

2. Recommend Familiar Foods: Like they say in the world of science: “Start from the known to get to the unknown.” So you can suggest comfort foods like grilled cheese sandwiches, pasta dishes, or burgers. In the case of children, you should consider kids's menus or simple dishes like chicken fingers or macaroni and cheese.

3. Offer Simple Descriptions: There’s no point in showing off your vast culinary knowledge to a picky eater. So it’s best practice to use simple language to describe dishes, avoiding culinary terms. Also, focus on highlighting familiar ingredients and their preparation to win the picky eater over.

4. Suggest Sauces and Dips: Feel free to enhance the flavor of bland or plain dishes by offering sauces and dips. And while you’re at it, please stick to familiar sauces like ketchup, mayonnaise, or ranch dressing.

5. Be Prepared to Compromise: Since your aim is to enjoy a meal together, suggest sharing a dish, and if your initial recommendation isn't well-received, be prepared to suggest other options.

Remember, the key to recommending a dish for a picky eater is to be patient, understanding, and flexible. And from the variety of menu options available at Ounje Alabeke, you can help ensure a pleasant dining experience for everyone.