Do you say thank you…

[Summersummersummertime77]

When someone has cooked you a meal?

Parents staying with us and we went to get fresh fish from the fish market then to the shop. We made a salad, bread etc with it, made a big bbq.
Afterwards we cleaned up and no one said thank you for the meal.
Just thinking about it, would you say thank you?
It’s just my natural instinct to say ‘That was lovely, thank you’ or something along those lines…
Are my parents quite rude?

Not necessarily thank you always, but definitely appreciate words.

Yes of course and if I’m a guest even more so.

Anyone with an ounce of awareness would see the OP’s effort involved in preparing the meal, bbq, clearing up etc and would express some kind of appreciation.

As for the idea that parents are absolved from thanking their kids - forget that!!

Yes, of course. The only people who ever cook for me are my lovely DD and DGD,and I wouldn't dream of not saying thank you for a meal they'd cooked for me.

YANBU, it's basic good manners to thank someone for making dinner. Even if it's fish fingers.