Is your family is snobby when it comes to homemade dishes

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My in laws are very snobby when it comes to homemade food.

When I say snobby they wouldn’t judge a single mum relying on something pre made for example but when it comes to the stuff they eat they massively favour homemade stuff. I just find it amusing tbh! They all get VERY excited when someone brings over homemade bread and desserts. Wanting to know what recipe/method you chose. All birthday cakes are homemade. I swear a cake from Tesco would sit completely unopened in the fridge.

There is one vegetarian family member and my sister in law is going to make an entire veggie wellington just for him. I suggested just getting something from M&S and she completely baulked at the very idea. Tbf everyone is a good cook.

It definitely stems from MIL. Who grows her own food, makes chutneys etc. They would never dream of shoving in an Indian selection from Waitrose as starters like my family doesx

I just find it fascinating tbh.

Anyone else have family like this? Even croissants are homemade!

Sounds lovely. Where’s the snobbery?

That's not snobby...doesn't everyone love homemade food? Ready meals are always a poor substitute but often a necessity for people because of time.

I love the sound of how much they love good food. A Tesco cake would also stay untouched in my house if there was the option of any homemade one.

My family aren't like this but I am a bit, not that I only eat homemade food but I do much prefer it, especially things like cakes.

I much prefer homemade food, so much tastier and healthier. Sadly, I don't currently have enough spare time to forgo the occasional time saving pre-prepared dish, but when I do I will home cook it all!

I would want to make an effort at Christmas, and make everything fresh. I wouldn't expect the veggie to have some UPF convenience food whilst everyone else was tucking into a delicious homemade feast!

Processed foods/readymeals are in general full of poor quality ingredients, salt, sugar and other additives. If you eat well-made cooked at home from scratch meals mostly and then try ready-made meals and meals consisting of jars and packets of sauces, you can taste how awful most are.

I do eat processed food but really try to limit as I know it’s not the best choice but needs must. I think if someone enjoys cooking, food ingredients, recipes, etc and makes time to cook from scratch, it is nothing to be sneered at and it can all be very social. And once you have the recipes, ingredients and know how, it’s not all that time consuming. (Obviously takes longer than sticking something ready-made into the oven.). Each to their own.

My family were like this and I went through a phase as a kid of wanting to buy really processed foods like angel layer cakes because all our cakes were home made. I have now reverted.

Croissants I’d draw the line at though. For me, they cross over into ‘not worth the time, to make an inferior product, better off buying’ territory.

It's only really an option for time rich households

I prefer homemade too.

It tastes better, is better quality, I know what's in it and I like cooking.

I'd be happy if someone turned up at the door with homemade bread too.

I don't see why that's 'snobby' though. I started when I was a single parent when my eldest was born 27 years ago because it was cheaper (then) and gave me something to do.

Honestly, some people on here will find anything to criticise others for!

Maybe because all of the ultra processed crap is so bad for you. Good on them cooking from scratch.

I think it is very strange you view this as being snobby.

They don’t sound snobby at all - clearly keen (and good) cooks who value good food.

Any insecurity is coming from you, I think.

It's snobby if they judge other people for not cooking everything from scratch, as I believe the OP suggests they do when she says they would understand a single mother buying pre-made stuff but no one else.

Maybe not snobby - judgy.

I like making stuff from scratch but do not have the time in the week. I judge no one for what they eat - it's none of my business. It's rude of anyone to judge anyone else who's doing the best they possibly can with the resources they have available - be those resources time, money or ability.

Even if it tastes nice it won't be as good for you because it will have artificial ingredients in it and it will be more expensive.
Personally I hate eating out and I only eat my own homemade food. I don't give a damn what other people eat, their health and their budget are not my problem!

I don’t think it’s snobby. Prepackaged food is not great, especially if entertaining.

i’d be mortified to serve up processed food to anyone I’d invited to my home for a meal.

I grew up in a family like this - and it is still how I prefer to eat

In some ways it's annoying TBH - I would love to use more convenience food with a full time job and two young children but I just hate the way it tastes.

When our kitchen was being redone, I lost loads of weight because I couldn't stand ready meals and we couldn't cook properly.

I would much rather not have cake than shop bought cake.

They must be youngish with time on their hands. I used to do this, and this year I've realised it's about being together, laughing and living, not being the frazzled cook showing off my culinary skills. So a mixture of homemade [in the freezer now] and bought, and cheers to all enjoying a unfussy Christmas day.

You specified they would judge, they just get excited about home made stuff. Sounds fabulous. Id probs have bought the marksies vege option but if theyre happy cooking it...

Id love tea at your MILs

Well, homemade food is generally much nicer.

I did make a lot of family food ( own pastry, cakes, main meals ) from scratch, when a SAHM, but now there’s just me and DP, I don’t bother tbh.
The rise in the cost of ingredients for even basic & simple baking is ludicrous, likewise meat for pies, stews etc. For just us 2, it ends up cheaper to buy it! It saddens me, as I was brought up totally the opposite of how we are now.
Also, recently, I had to buy a cooker real quick, and the oven on this new one is unreliable and too small and
frankly shite so I’m not risking a wad of cash on ingredients only to watch it be a disaster.
I do miss cooking and baking though.

Even a solitary vegetarian deserves a nice home-cooked Christmas dinner!

YABU. The fact that this is seen as 'snobby' makes me weep. No wonder that we're the fat man of Europe. Perhaps you should take a leaf from their book.

Cake doesn’t belong in a fridge <misses point>

I've only ever known a couple of people like this. And they talked the talk, but didnt walk the walk IYKWIM.

One was my ex sister in law who refused to believe that I (very rarely) made my own bread. Apparently this was impossible as i didnt have a bread maker. She, on the other hand, made everything herself. The only time I ever had dinner at her house we were served turkey dinosaurs and chips!

The other is also a SIL. She constantly talks about everything hand made, doesnt understand why anyone wouldn't cook from scratch. I have dinner at hers most months. I've never had a meal cooked from scratch. Everything is from a packet or jar of sauce. And theres nothing wrong with that. But at least own it!

From your description, it does sound like they are protesting too much. I would say this is a peculiarly British problem. Unfortunately, the class system applies to food as well, and quite strictly too. It might even be one of the last factors (with education) that is heavily class weighted (whatever the correct words are, am not a sociologist). So it's probably correct to say their slightly extreme approach comes from a place of insecurity. On the plus side, it doesn't sound like they have tried to reeducate or shame you for thinking this is daft, OP, so I would say, just enjoy the home made goods!