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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I cooking shit or being stingy??

465 replies

Hydranga · 06/08/2026 13:44

Currently on holiday with my sister, her husband, their 8 year old DS Amanda 14 year old daughter

i had originally booked it for just me, DH and Ds (8) but I invited them last minute at no cost to them as sister was stressed about money and not being able to take the kids out.

They have complained non stop about the food. First evening we got a takeaway but first morning they asked what was for breakfast so I said I had porridge or Greek yogurt and fruit and nuts. BIL burst out laughing saying “so it’s either prison food or bird food?”. Sister said “don’t you have anything in for the kids?” So I said I’d got the porridge for the kids and I have honey, jam or Nutella to stir into it. Teen rolled her eyes and sister said “I’ll go to shop later and get something in”. Was it really so bad???

that evening I made spaghetti bolognese. 75g dry pasta each and a 600g pack of mince shared between us all with mushrooms, bacon and various veggies. When I served it BIL pulled a face and said where’s the rest of it? They all started laughing - teen dramatically pulled a bit up from her plate and let it fall back down slowly whilst pulling a face. Sister said “what’s up with you?” And teen said “it tastes funny”. They all laughed.

I was getting pissed off at this point and told them they’re welcome to buy and cook their own food if they’d prefer. BIL said “oh here we go, here’s the catch” so I said no I’m more than happy to carry on buying and cooking but not to be insulted and laughed at. DH then decided to tell everyone I’m always on weird diets which isn’t true, I have ibs so I do try and restrict certain things but he made it out to be about weight loss which it isn’t. DS said he likes the food and DN said “yeah but you’re used to eating crap”

So yesterday I refused to cook. They’d bought their own cereals but when it came to evening meal I told them I was cooking a curry for us 3 so they might want to pop to shop and get something in which they did and came back with dohnuts and loads of sweet food. Fair enough.

tonight sister had told me she can’t afford to go back to shop as they hadn’t budgeted for repeated shopping trips. I’ve told her I’m cooking paella and they’re welcome to join us without insults. She said she’d talk to them.

as of 10 minutes ago teen was still asking what was for dinner so she clearly daren’t tell her.

Am I really cooking shit or being stingy?? I’m starting to wonder if it’s me

OP posts:
gayestgal · 06/08/2026 14:53

theneighboureatmysalad · 06/08/2026 14:49

When hosting people, offer them good quality food and a good amount of it.

I like pastries, I can't stand fry up and would much rather granola than a fry up if there's no alternative option.

I never once seen a "watery" pasta dish with "a tiny bit of pasta" even when my kids were learning to cook 😂

I don't believe your posts are genuine

I dont really know what to say, i am genuine 😕

Ive seen watery bolognese- which is what you get when you pad it out with mushrooms and veg

For your guests, who you know like a bit of food!

TheRealMagic · 06/08/2026 14:53

gayestgal · 06/08/2026 14:50

No, be a better host, at least for the first night!

I wouldnt dare insult someone but I do see why theyre not fans of the food offered

And I also ask about the background to this, as there seems to be a backstory

a) It wasn't the first night
b) Kindly inviting someone who can't afford a holiday to share your holiday home at no cost to them does not make you their 'host'

Moreholidaysthanjudithchalmers · 06/08/2026 14:54

Your food sounds lovely. They sound rude. It’s a free holiday. It’s rude they haven’t contributed eg they could have offered to bring pastries for breakfast or contribute to food kitty after all they would need a weekly shop at home.
I suspect they have a very different diet to you so can’t comprehend no white toastie loaf S that’s a staple in their house.
They also probably had different expectations of holiday ‘treat’ food eg pastries, fry up or bacon butties. Pizza, fish & chips.
I’d say what you a cooking they are welcome to do their own thing if it doesn’t suit.

theneighboureatmysalad · 06/08/2026 14:54

gayestgal · 06/08/2026 14:49

Fatty and tasty are the correct adjectives

Honestly - if you have to break down the calorie contents of PORRIDGE offered to your guests - you are not being a good host.

Next time op, head to waitrose (or aldi) and pick up a load of breakfast stuff

Pastries
Pancakes
Bread
Bacon
Eggs
Sausages
Tomatoes
Black puddding if thats your thing
good butter
Fruit
Jam and marmalade
Lots of juice
Tea
Coffee (if youve got a machine/cafetière) - if not, offer to uber eats in a Starbucks

Edit following below comment - maybe rich is what I meant. Just good quality bolognese, we know how this tastes (well some of us do, going by this thread!)

Edited

You must be very bored or have very little guests if you genuinely believe it's normal to faff around so much with breakfast every time you are hosting people, or they are hosting you 😂

Not one yogurt, no cereal, bit grim
at least there are fruits I suppose.

Sartre · 06/08/2026 14:54

Exceptionally rude to comment on any food someone has made for you unless it’s your partner / a very close friend and the food is atrocious (I’m thinking Bridget Jones blue soup style!) so you can joke about it… Your food sounds completely normal for British people, I eat that for breakfast most days.

Delatron · 06/08/2026 14:54

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Lexibletheflexible · 06/08/2026 14:54

It all depends on portion size and the quality of the cooking.

Deadleaves77 · 06/08/2026 14:55

TheRealMagic · 06/08/2026 14:49

'Fatty' isn't a very appealing description - I've never heard it used positively. I appreciate that the poster may actually have meant 'rich'.

Its hardly enough to label it repulsive, I assume they didn't mean chunks of gristle floating around but a reasonably high fat content of meat which let's be honest provides flavour and keeps the meat tender.

Regardless agree that OP isnt hosting these people and she can serve whatever level om the fatty/watery bolognese scale she likes

gayestgal · 06/08/2026 14:55

theneighboureatmysalad · 06/08/2026 14:54

You must be very bored or have very little guests if you genuinely believe it's normal to faff around so much with breakfast every time you are hosting people, or they are hosting you 😂

Not one yogurt, no cereal, bit grim
at least there are fruits I suppose.

If the op purposefully got a place with a big kitchen, and is planning to bake, shes hosting!

And cereals and yogurt are added to the list - for those so precious they cant manage a fry up 🙄

Sartre · 06/08/2026 14:56

Lexibletheflexible · 06/08/2026 14:54

It all depends on portion size and the quality of the cooking.

I don’t think so. They’re already getting a free holiday and OP has been gracious enough to also provide free food. I’d be over the moon if someone offered me a treat like this, embarrassed to accept if anything. The way they are treating OP is abysmal. The dad sounds like Jay from The Inbetweeners’ dad. Obnoxious as fuck.

gayestgal · 06/08/2026 14:56

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Theres no need to be nasty.

Overweight or not, my guests are happy, fed and welcomed by a warm host

Noshadelamp · 06/08/2026 14:57

Bil is acting like he's doing OP a favour by being there 😅
How entitled to sit there not contributing a penny, expecting you to pay for food and cook said food, and THEN have the gall to COMPLAIN.
Op you shouldn't be apologising to them for your food or hosting. They are unbelievably rude and entitled. Not sure why your DH doesn't have your back, why is he letting another man criticise you like that??

Cook for you and your lovely ds only.

Lexibletheflexible · 06/08/2026 14:58

Sartre · 06/08/2026 14:56

I don’t think so. They’re already getting a free holiday and OP has been gracious enough to also provide free food. I’d be over the moon if someone offered me a treat like this, embarrassed to accept if anything. The way they are treating OP is abysmal. The dad sounds like Jay from The Inbetweeners’ dad. Obnoxious as fuck.

I disagree. Food you serve to others has to be of good quality.

gayestgal · 06/08/2026 14:59

Lexibletheflexible · 06/08/2026 14:58

I disagree. Food you serve to others has to be of good quality.

I wouldn't dream of inviting someone away, where I am planning to cook meals in a lovely kitchen, and then offer them low quality food

Delatron · 06/08/2026 14:59

gayestgal · 06/08/2026 14:56

Theres no need to be nasty.

Overweight or not, my guests are happy, fed and welcomed by a warm host

She’s not hosting!! She is on holiday.

theneighboureatmysalad · 06/08/2026 15:00

gayestgal · 06/08/2026 14:55

If the op purposefully got a place with a big kitchen, and is planning to bake, shes hosting!

And cereals and yogurt are added to the list - for those so precious they cant manage a fry up 🙄

I am not sure what you are trying to do?

Do you want the OP to invite you so you can show her how to prepare fatty food for her ridiculous guests?😂

It's Breakfast, with kids around they'll likely have their mid-morning snack 2 hours later, and lunch just a few hours after breakfast anyway. It's so not a big deal, they're on holiday not on a food-tasting fry up marathon.

Greenwriter76 · 06/08/2026 15:00

I haven’t read your whole post but only needed to see that you have given them a holiday at no cost to them and are providing and cooking all the food. How can you even think you are in the wrong here?
It is definitely them rather than you!

Delatron · 06/08/2026 15:00

gayestgal · 06/08/2026 14:59

I wouldn't dream of inviting someone away, where I am planning to cook meals in a lovely kitchen, and then offer them low quality food

The food is not low quality- it’s just healthy!

gayestgal · 06/08/2026 15:00

Delatron · 06/08/2026 14:59

She’s not hosting!! She is on holiday.

She has purposefully rented somewhere with a big kitchen, and wants to bake lovely stuff

She. Is. Hosting.

Moreholidaysthanjudithchalmers · 06/08/2026 15:01

It all sounds excellent quality and homemade. Yoghurt, fruit, nuts, porridge, bolognese from scratch with lots of vegetables with garlic bread.

girljulian · 06/08/2026 15:01

Are people really doing morning fry-ups?? Even on holiday I couldn't be arsed with that.

Sartre · 06/08/2026 15:02

Lexibletheflexible · 06/08/2026 14:58

I disagree. Food you serve to others has to be of good quality.

How is it low quality? That breakfast is completely normal for many people across the world, particularly in the UK. I eat Greek yoghurt, muesli and berries most days for breakfast. It’s totally normal, as is spaghetti bolognese. If they don’t like OP’s cooking they can sit and eat donuts all week like Homer Simpson.

gayestgal · 06/08/2026 15:02

Delatron · 06/08/2026 15:00

The food is not low quality- it’s just healthy!

Theres room for good quality food - and youre hosting people on holiday - is healthiness the primary concern right now?!

Imagine going on an all inclusive and deciding no-one should drink because youre being 'healthy'

Its not the proper thing to do!

Timble · 06/08/2026 15:02

I think regardless off whether it’s enough food they are actually incredibly rude. We once stayed with DH’s relative and they were very odd about food. Toast for breakfast but kept repeating (to their own children not mine) ‘that’s enough margarine, you’re putting on too much jam’ it was very odd. They bought three small supermarket pizzas to share between 4 adults and 4 children, we were starving 😂 the best bit was when they cut 1 apple (yes you read that correctly, 1 apple) to split between 4 children as a snack!! My toddler could easily eat a full apple! So basically we were starving, kids were also very hungry but we didn’t say a word, we thanked them after every meal and then bought snacks ourselves when we were out!

Lexibletheflexible · 06/08/2026 15:02

600g of mince for 5 people won't make a meaty sauce. It will be mostly tomato juice.