We got sick after a dinner party. Should we let the host know?

My partner and I got sick the morning after eating dinner at his colleague's house. We both had the runs and I threw up twice. And when either of us thinks about chicken Marbella now we both feel nauseated. Should we have called the host to let her know?

I should begin by pointing out that I completely sympathize with your discomfort: Thinking about chicken Marbella makes me feel nauseated, too.

But it sounds like in this case you might - emphasis on the might - have contracted food poisoning from it as well. It could also have been the flu, or the all-you-can-eat sushi you had for lunch. Without a lab test of the chicken, you're never going to know for sure. So unless you became seriously ill, you were right to not call the host.

The host, on the other hand, owed her guests a call if she became sick and suspected her cooking was the cause. That, and a promise to update her repertoire by about 25 years.

Chris Nuttall-Smith is a food writer and restaurant columnist. Have an entertaining dilemma? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.