Do You Serve Yourself All The Best Bits?

[SmidgenofaPigeon]

I do.

I made a bloody amazing lasagne this evening. When I was dishing it out, I noticed DH’s bit had a particularly nice bit of bubbling mozzarella on it so I took it for myself before I took it through to the table. Since I do most of the cooking because I like it and I’m good at it, I do this quite a lot. I’ll take the juicier bit of chicken breast or the nicest looking roast potatoes for example. I don’t serve myself more than DH, I just take what I consider to be the choicest bits.

Then I started to think about my dear (now sadly dead) gran who would be horrified at this behaviour she would ALWAYS give the best bits of meat to my grandad or my dad, even if it meant everyone else had gristle. I remember on holiday once the women and children got fish fingers and the men a prime bit of cod loin which she fried up in some batter. She’d also buy steak for the men and a cheaper cut for the women.

I was just musing over whether I do it to rally against her strange ways (she always said the men deserved the nice bits more because they worked hard) or do I just think I deserve all the best bits because I’ve cooked it 😂

So do you serve your partner/children the nicest bits first or are you selfish like me and keep them for yourself

We serve ourselves out of dishes. DH likes lots of meat I like more vegetables, the kids have their own preferences it's worked for us

I have changed over the years. I used to be fair, bordering on martyr, but once I'd registered the full enormity of DH's lack of taste I started to change.

He honestly isn't that bothered most of the time, and describes things as "tasty" whether it's 2 hours masterpiece, or a pasta bake. So if there's a really delicious bit, I've got less problem now with eating it myself.

Kids, it's a crazy mixture. Some things I give them the most appetising bits, in an attempt to get them eating a wider number of meals, and then if they turn their noses up at it they'll be on fish fingers and dolmio for a month, while we eat the fresh fish and home made ragu

Me and DP have discussed this before because we found out I always gave him the best bit and he always gave himself the best bit 😂

@MadameMonk - "*not a real syndrome"

But I give him the best because I like it when he thinks I'm an amazing cook tbh.

I almost hate to admit it, but the best bits go to whomever I am cooking for/with, who is usually DH.

My Mom was religious about making sure Dad got the best, but there's was a very traditional 1950s marriage. Even so, the joke in our house was always that if there was an errant allspice berry or fish bone, Dad would get it.

I think I am like the poster who said cooking is an act of love and I instinctively want the recipient of that love to have the best.

I take the best bits. And when my husband is cooking I do my utmost to steal the best bits. I have no shame.

@DaxtheDestroyer

The secret of a long and happy marriage I think is in having complementary views on what are the best bits. I'd take the big stringy bits of mozzarella and give DH the burnt crispy edges - we both think we are getting the best bits. Skin on a rice pudding is another example. I think it's revolting so take it all off my bit and pile it on to DHs - to him it is heaven.

Agree

I do - chef's privilege! If I've spent time cooking it, then I get the best bits. I don't even try to hide it from dh. He has noticed and pulled me up on it - I told him if he wants to roll up his sleeves and cook a meal then he can serve himself all the nice bits.

I give myself the best bits most of the time. If I cooked it I bloody well deserve it!

Unlike other posters, I love myself more than my kids

No, I give the best bits to my husband and children, I like their food to look nice I suppose plus I'd feel guilty.

I give the best bits to my OH

I eat the best bits in the kitchen and then bring out two plates that look the same whilst smugly swallowing the best bit 😃

Unlike other posters, I love myself more than my kids wink

Dont think love comes in to it, I'd give my life for my kids but I wouldn't give them the best bits at dinner.

I was brought up with a twin brother and if sharing a treat like a piece of cake, my dad would get one of us to cut it in half and the other to choose a half to save the argument.

One of us would spend ten mins cutting it as evenly as possible so the other didn’t get a better or bigger bit..

As a result, it’s ingrained deep into me to be fair with food. I dish up DH and I’s plates as evenly as I can and then leave him to choose which plate he takes.

Thankfully what I consider ther best bits DH and the DCs do not! Like the wings of a chicken for example. DH is vegetarian. DCs don't like chicken skin.

But I like the idea of everyone serving themselves from central platters. I will do that.

I definitely have burnt chop syndrome!
Fortunately I have a lovely dh and our most vicious rows are about insisting the other gets the nicest bit of something.

I genuinely cannot imagine feeling ok about blatantly taking the best bit of something for myself. I think I’d need extensive therapy to manage that 😂

I just share it out fairly. I’d never take the best bits.

Yep, chef’s perks as my mum would say.

I always give my child the best bits but if I had a husband, no chance would he get them before me!

It's not something I really think about but I'd say we share the best bits.

My mum and dad are awful for keeping the best bits for themselves (even with a Sunday roast that I've cooked they'll always be straight in to get a leg and wing each🙄), I do think it's a bit rude tbh.

If it’s just the family, then I nick the best bits. If we have guests I give it to them so I can be the gracious hostess (while wishing I had that bit!)

Often DH and I have different opinions on what the best bits of any given dish are so we can both have the "best" bits. Otherwise it depends on the meal - if it's one of my favourites I get the best bits, if it's one of DH's favourites then he gets the best bits.

I've cooked it. I take the best bits. He'll serve himself the best bits without a thought so why shouldn't I?

I always remember watching Teri Hatcher in an interview about her autobiography "burnt toast" because as a parent you then have to have the burst toast apparently. I just never related to that philosophy, I'm much more pragmatic than that, a 5 year old will never truly understand and appreciate the best bits.

Team chef's privilege for sure.