AITA for purposely ruining my FIL‘s favourite meal?
In a cozy kitchen filled with the rich aroma of simmering herbs, a chef pours her heart into crafting a perfect meal for her in-laws. But for one 32-year-old woman, the joy of cooking sours when her father-in-law, with a flick of his wrist, buries her culinary masterpiece under a heap of salt—without even a taste. It’s a small act, but one that stings her pride, sparking a mischievous plan to teach him a lesson.
The tension simmers like a pot on the stove, bubbling with unspoken frustration and a dash of family drama. When her husband suggests a playful prank to oversalt the dish, the chef can’t resist. What unfolds is a moment of laughter for some and a bitter bite for others, leaving readers to wonder: was this a harmless jest or a recipe for disaster? The Reddit community has plenty to say about this salty saga.
‘AITA for purposely ruining my FIL‘s favourite meal?’
The stage is set in a warm family gathering, where a chef’s dedication to her craft clashes with her father-in-law’s quirky seasoning habits. Here’s the original Reddit post that sparked the debate:
Cooking for loved ones can feel like baring your soul, only to have someone sprinkle salt on your heart. In this culinary clash, the chef’s frustration with her father-in-law’s salt-adding habit led to a prank that stirred more than just the pot. The chef, a 32-year-old woman, takes pride in her craft, while her father-in-law insists he can “see” when a dish needs salt. Both dig in their heels, turning a dinner table into a battleground.
This spat highlights a broader issue: the clash between personal preferences and respect for others’ efforts. According to a 2019 study by the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University, taste preferences are deeply personal, often tied to habit or even biology, with some people genetically predisposed to crave saltier flavors (Source). The father-in-law’s reflex to season may not be a slight but a hardwired need.
Dr. John Prescott, a food psychologist, notes, “Taste is subjective, and habits like adding salt without tasting can reflect comfort, not criticism” (Source). Here, the chef’s prank, though playful, misfired by challenging her father-in-law’s autonomy, escalating a minor quirk into a trust issue. Her intent was humorous, but it bruised his pride.
To navigate this, the chef could openly discuss her feelings, framing it as pride in her work rather than a demand for control. Inviting her father-in-law to taste first might bridge the gap.
Check out how the community responded:
The Reddit community didn’t hold back, serving up a spicy mix of opinions with a side of sass. Here’s what they had to say about this salty showdown:
![[Reddit User] − YTA. How many times are people going to post here asking if it’s okay to tell other people how to season the food they’re going to eat?! It isn’t okay. If I want to add extra salt, pepper, ketchup, f**king arsenic to my food, it’s nobody’s business but my own. Holy s**t.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/236963cmt-03.png)
![[Reddit User] − NTA. He's acting like a know it all by saying he can see salt. If he claims he can't trust you, he can feed himself.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/236963cmt-04.png)
![[Reddit User] − YTA. What did you gain from this now?](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/236963cmt-08.png)
![[Reddit User] − YTA - you went out of your way to purposely make someone’s favourite meal displeasurable because you think that them adding salt is rude. That’s a d**k move imo. What lesson were you trying to teach here? Why is it so important to teach an old dog new tricks? Why do you need to win? Let him enjoy his food and just enjoy your time with your family.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/236963cmt-09.png)
These are the hot takes from Reddit, but do they season the situation with truth or just add more salt to the wound?
This tale of a chef’s salty revenge reminds us how small quirks can stir big emotions at the family table. While the prank was meant as a lighthearted jab, it left a lingering aftertaste of distrust. Perhaps a pinch of patience and a sprinkle of communication could have kept the peace. What would you do if a loved one’s habit clashed with your passion? Share your thoughts—have you ever been tempted to pull a culinary prank?
