Should I be flattered or insulted?

[Serendipite]

My MIL is staying over, and she mentioned her friend said they always just buy food from outside. She told her friend that "my daughter in law is an excellent cook, but she does not do fancy plating but who needs that?"

What's fancy plating?

I'm not sure what she means by that either

I would just put all of MIL food in a giant heap after that comment!

Fancy plating is just how they present food on the plate

Fancy plating = six fat chips arranged like jenga on a slateboard.

It sounds like she said it in jest, though I think if anyone is providing you with food (and by her own admission it's good), then you keep any comments to yourself

Yes, but I guess I'd only expect that in a high-class restaurant/nouvelle cuisine. Surely, at home, as long as you put each different part of the meal on the plate separately that's acceptable?

At least she complimented your cooking though!

She's kinda posh. She grew up rich.

I'm the total opposite.

I would probably be both. Its a backhanded compliment. I remember a now ex-friend saying to me 'oh your hair actually looks lovely today'. She could have just left it as 'it looks lovely' same as your MIL could have just left it as 'my daughter in law is an excellent cook' but they have to get the dig in there somewhere

next meal slop it on on in the middle, sort of a tall pile and then very dramatically put a bit of parsley on the very top, look her in the eye and grin like a movie villain and walk off

Or next time plate it real fancy : three small chips gracefully placed with a tiny carrot and a small piece of steak. A little drizzled gravy ( half a teaspoon) and voila.

Ah, I think it's a compliment. She's probably just someone who talks a bit more than is necessary.

Black dress, frilly white cap and apron, white cotton gloves, silver service from posh China dishes.
You need a parlour maid or footman, Op.

Does she comment on her sons cooking ability and plating techniques?

Does she comment on her sons cooking ability and plating techniques?

Her son doesn't even know how to fry an egg.

Compliment

Give her this for her tea.

Or

I like to call that a slap and a kiss.

Why are you cooking for her? Surely she should cook for you and show you how it's done or serve up her food with a side order of flob

I'd take it as a compliment, she's acknowledged that fancy presentation doesn't really matter and said you're a good cook.

Is fancy plating

Try again

It's a compliment.

If she has grown up rich and her friend is similar and eats out, then your MIL is just being descriptive.

Both the Hotel Inspector and Gordon Ramsey pick up on presentation from the off.

If she is used to really good restaurants, then it is even more of a compliment.

I would say that she is getting one over on her Friend, if anyone, pointing out your skill and that she is still eating better than her Friend.

Fish and chips in the bloody paper is what she needs!!