Not wanting to share recipes

[Anonymous]

Recently I spoke to a family member who mentioned that she doesn't like to share her recipes. She's a pretty good cook and could be a chef in her own right. For some reason I was shocked about this. Is this normal? She pretty much said she works really hard on her recipes and only intends to share them with her children and their spouses in order to pass down the recipe.

[Anonymous]

Haven't you ever heard of "secret family recipes"? There are some people like that.

I will share recipes that I've gotten off the internet, but I don't share my mother's recipes unless I check with her. After she passes, I'll make the decision on my own whether to share a recipe or not, but for now, they are hers and I'll ask her if she minds before I share with anyone. My mother generally only likes me to share her recipes with someone she has met like friends she's met when she comes to visit. But not coworkers or acquaintances that she's never met.

[Anonymous]

I have heard of it, but I don't like it, lol. But sure, people can do what they want.

[Anonymous]

I think this used to be pretty common. After all, you wouldn't want to show up the church potluck and find out that Jeannie Sue brought "your" special potato salad too. Even my grandmother had a beloved "secret" family cake recipe. She invented something special and wanted it to be known as "her" recipe. Which it still is, at least amongst family.

But yes, most people don't do this anymore. They're way more likely to post their recipe (which was mostly cribbed from something on propertasty) on the internets for the whole world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have heard of it, but I don't like it, lol. But sure, people can do what they want.

Why don't you like it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven't you ever heard of "secret family recipes"? There are some people like that.

I will share recipes that I've gotten off the internet, but I don't share my mother's recipes unless I check with her. After she passes, I'll make the decision on my own whether to share a recipe or not, but for now, they are hers and I'll ask her if she minds before I share with anyone. My mother generally only likes me to share her recipes with someone she has met like friends she's met when she comes to visit. But not coworkers or acquaintances that she's never met.

Op here, But we are family. I suppose I expected she would make an exception.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this used to be pretty common. After all, you wouldn't want to show up the church potluck and find out that Jeannie Sue brought "your" special potato salad too. Even my grandmother had a beloved "secret" family cake recipe. She invented something special and wanted it to be known as "her" recipe. Which it still is, at least amongst family.

But yes, most people don't do this anymore. They're way more likely to post their recipe (which was mostly cribbed from something on propertasty) on the internets for the whole world.

Op here, This is exactly what she said too. She wants it to be known as "her recipe". I guess I can understand it from a point of view that she doesn't get any rights/glory to it if everyone in the family etc starts making it. Thanks PP.

[Anonymous]

My aunt will give a recipe but tell you ONE thing totally wrong so yours won't come out as well as hers.

I think it's ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

I've heard it before and I think it's a little strange and silly. I'm happy to share with anyone who asks - it's a compliment! But then I don't invent my own recipes - maybe I'd feel differently if it was my original recipe and not something from a cookbook.

[Anonymous]

It's selfish. It's cooking for the praise, not for people to truly enjoy the food you lovingly prepared.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard of it, but I don't like it, lol. But sure, people can do what they want.

Why don't you like it?

I would say 99% of the time people share recipes.

I would say the reason I don't like it that I feel offended that they don't trust me with the recipe or don't deem me close enough for it. I was raised in a family of recipe sharers, lol.

[Anonymous]

Wow....thats, um...something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My aunt will give a recipe but tell you ONE thing totally wrong so yours won't come out as well as hers.

I think it's ridiculous.

I think that's far more ridiculous! In that case, I would much prefer someone just say they don't share their recipes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My aunt will give a recipe but tell you ONE thing totally wrong so yours won't come out as well as hers.

I think it's ridiculous.

I think that's far more ridiculous! In that case, I would much prefer someone just say they don't share their recipes.

+1

That's just mean.

[Anonymous]

My MIL is like this. But I don't like that I once asked her how to make something my DH has liked since childhood and she wouldn't tell me. For her own son.