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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is your family is snobby when it comes to homemade dishes

487 replies

Calgator · 12/12/2025 11:31

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!

OP posts:
whispycloud · 12/12/2025 14:14

Homemade anything is surely going to be better than something shop bought of which 99% are rammed with seed oils.

I don’t care if that makes me snobby 🤷‍♀️

blueshoes · 12/12/2025 14:18

ChocolateCinderToffee · 12/12/2025 14:05

I don't think it's the least bit 'snobby' ffs! I increasingly don't think it's worth buying precooked food or eating out because the quality of it is so much lower than that of what I can cook at home. I'm not a cordon bleu chef by any means, but I've been cooking for myself for more than 40 years and most UPFs are just dire.

Agree.

Dh and I grew up in families that ate homecooked food on most days. Store bought food would be viewed a little suspiciously like it was a TV dinner or takeaway which is generally expensive and not very good for you. Even M&S or Waitrose does not quite get you there. I would assume that the person was time poor and that is understandable, especially for a busy parent or carer or elderly person who is less independent.

SIL does serve those Indian nibbles that you oven heat for family gatherings. They look better than they taste and usually have little filling. I could make a ton of zamosas or prawn crackers for a fraction of the price piping hot but appreciate not everyone would have the time or inclination.

Some foods which are labour intensive to make like cakes or puddings are more acceptable store bought but nothing beats a homemade cake.

Todayisanewbeginning · 12/12/2025 14:18

Calgator · 12/12/2025 11:31

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!

They don’t sound snobby at all.

You sound like you have a (homemade) chip on your shoulder.

MumbleBumbleAppleCrumble · 12/12/2025 14:21

Notsuchafattynow · 12/12/2025 11:41

I recognise this family. I think I married into it!

I'll always remember meeting DH's family for the first time for a buffet and offered to bring desserts.

I rocked up with 2 Sainsbury's taste the difference puddings, and they remained firmly untouched!

Makes me chuckle but at the time I couldn't work out what I'd done wrong.

But that’s not snobbery it’s a mixture of sense (home baked will almost always taste better) and manners (if other people have brought home baked food to a party then it’s pretty damned rude to opt for the Tesco option that someone picked up on their way there). And really, this is people voting on their feet - many options and no one went for shop bought. That it makes you chuckle says far more about you than them.

DrCoconut · 12/12/2025 14:23

Why the association of single mums and premade food? That level of stereotyping alone is "snobby" <makes sure to put chicken nuggets and fruit shoots on the shopping list for universal credit day>.

localnotail · 12/12/2025 14:24

I find your POV very odd, not your in-laws. Eating processed crap if you are able to cook is idiotic.

LaDeeDaDeeDumb · 12/12/2025 14:31

I grew up really poor. My DM made everything from scratch because it was cheaper.

Now, because she’s so good at it, money can’t buy food as good as hers, so… you’d be spending more on something that’s not as good. So, I don’t see it as “snobby” to prefer homemade.

TreeDudette · 12/12/2025 14:32

I'm not sure I'd call it snobby. We are a family of homemade. My mum is an enthusiastic and excellent cook and baker and we live rurally so no take out or delivery food to hand and limited novel stuff in local shops so I grew up eating what my mum cooked. She baked all her own bread, cakes, biscuits etc. and I just assumed it was normal. Even now my parents eat little to no pre-prepared food at all. I bake and cook as does my sister so birthday cakes etc.. are all home made but I do buy bread loaves (I make my own pittas, flat breads and other easy stuff though). I buy biscuits but I make my own cake (not a shop cake fan). I cook 90% of meals from scratch but we do get the odd meal out. I am buying some bits for Xmas this year from M&S though to avoid spending all day in the kitchen but there are some things like gravy that you just can't buy a good replacement for.

Pollymollydolly · 12/12/2025 14:32

Interesting that you describe them as snobby while looking down on them….

FriedaMer · 12/12/2025 14:32

Haven't RTFT but they don't sound snobby at all - quite normal to prefer homemade to processed. You and your SIL do sound a bit snobby though, with your incredulous fascination and amusement.

GordonBrownwhenherealisedhismicwasstillon · 12/12/2025 14:33

BarbieShrimp · 12/12/2025 12:56

Sure, making three restaurant-style meals at home every day requires more time, space and materials than most people have.

But simply cooking at home and giving your food some love and attention... it's been an accessible option for people who aren't "rich" for literally as long as there have been humans.

The idea that lower-income people are too helpless and unresourceful to cook anything decent at home is offensive on so many levels.

This just isn't true. Both parents work full time, add a commute, after school activities. Even doing nothing but batch cook on my day off is a struggle to try and keep convenience food out of the house. It was a breeze when I worked 20 hours a week from home, now its a nightmare. People don't have time.

JazzyBBBG · 12/12/2025 14:34

Not my family generally although my mum is a much better cook than me and will sometimes make a comment like "oh didn't you make that"

No I'm a crap cook and I work full time! Some people have no idea of the time pressure others are under, I have a friend who cooks from fresh everything every day - she only works 8 hours a week. She said "oh my husband would never eat that" about something pre made. Well my husband wouldn't get much choice unless he wants to start cooking himself!

TreeDudette · 12/12/2025 14:34

Oh and if anyone thinks homemade cake has to be time consuming - Mug cake! This is the modern version of my nannas titian lap... Welsh plate cake. You mix up a bit of melted butter, sugar, flour and an egg along with some vanilla essence or a few chocolate chips or currants and 2 mins later you have a portion of cake. Even my daughter can make these in the microwave and does most nights!

Placestogo · 12/12/2025 14:35

Homemade croissants? Thats dedication!! But yes i do eat a lot of homemade stuff and my family does too. My DP’s family is very mich a ready meal, get your own snack whenever you want type of family.
i do take your point, it sounds fastidious and it can be but you know, some people spend tbeir time and money in cars, others in art, some in food… whatever works for them! We are all different and there is no harm done.

Shatteredallthetimelately · 12/12/2025 14:36

Homemade where ever possible here, the list of ingredients on the packaging of something as simple as a Victoria sandwich is crazy in comparison to homemade.

knottywig · 12/12/2025 14:39

What type of cake goes in the fridge? Surely that makes the sponge hard and horrible?

Catpiece · 12/12/2025 14:41

It’s not snobby to enjoy cooking from scratch

80smonster · 12/12/2025 14:45

They sound dreamy. Any chance they would adopt/feed me?

TreeDudette · 12/12/2025 14:48

knottywig · 12/12/2025 14:39

What type of cake goes in the fridge? Surely that makes the sponge hard and horrible?

Some of my very moist, high wet fruit content cakes like apple or peach cobbler sometimes go in the fridge but are warmed up to eat. They can mould quite quickly on the worktop. I wouldn't put a Victoria in the fridge though!

Crikeyalmighty · 12/12/2025 14:52

GordonBrownwhenherealisedhismicwasstillon · 12/12/2025 14:33

This just isn't true. Both parents work full time, add a commute, after school activities. Even doing nothing but batch cook on my day off is a struggle to try and keep convenience food out of the house. It was a breeze when I worked 20 hours a week from home, now its a nightmare. People don't have time.

This is a mixed picture-Plenty do live on shop bought and don’t work at all or a bit of part time but choose not to cook or can’t be arsed ( and to be frank it ‘often’ can cost more if you use good quality ingredients ) - not all ‘less rich’ people are out there both working full time -

AbbaCadaBra · 12/12/2025 14:55

That isn’t snobby. It’s really special. How wonderful.

TheWytch · 12/12/2025 14:58

What's snobby about it? Homemade food is generally much nicer than the manufactured alternative. I wouldn't eat a factory made cake. There is very little actual "food" in them.

It's a luxury for people who don't have time to cook from scratch.

Christmascaketime · 12/12/2025 15:00

I don’t think snobby is right word. They like homemade food and it’s what they enjoy making and eating. They aren’t forcing anyone to cook. I think people do what’s norm for them and their family. Also your tastebuds adapt and if you are used to homemade food then ship bought can be too sweet or salty. If you are a cook and have a well set up kitchen and larder it’s often easier than buying. So SIL can probably make a nice vegetarian wellington (perhaps pastry is for something else too like mince pies) rather than drive to m & s and fight her way around a mad busy food hall.
So making croissants for a nice weekend breakfast is relaxing in same way some people crochet or knit as a hobby.

Autonomouse · 12/12/2025 15:02

I know have known people like this; and I know people who don't make anything except Christmas dinner ( turkey, fresh veg, mashed potatoes, boxed stuffing mix) are the ones who verge on actual dislike/disdain towards anyone who prefers to make their meals entirely from scratch.

The person I have in mind is jealous of this, knows how much her DH and family would love home made anything, so it figures than anyone who doesn't cook/bake/ create in the kitchen is looked upon as 'thinking they are better' when it's just as much a life-style to them, as it is to those who choose to use 'ready-made' or meal kits.

Gemmaright · 12/12/2025 15:04

I like my own home made stuff, but other people's eurgh, gives me the boak, I imagine hairs and stuff in it 😂. Much more likely that the hairs are in mine, due to large hairy lab, and hair shedding mounjaro taking adult but hey.
If I go to someone's house and it's a plethora of beige from Iceland yum, lovely 'homemade' nibbles no thanks.

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