“I Spent All Day Cooking, But My Husband Embarrassed Me in Front of Everyone: My Husband is a Professional Chef”

I had spent the entire day in the kitchen, determined to prepare a meal that would impress my husband, Jack, and our family. Jack is a professional chef at one of the most prestigious restaurants in New York City. His colleagues respect him, and the patrons adore his culinary creations. I always knew I couldn’t match his level of expertise, but I wanted to show him that I could still make a delicious meal.

Jack and I have been married for five years, and during that time, he has occasionally helped me in the kitchen, teaching me some of his tricks and techniques. Despite his guidance, I always felt like I was falling short. Cooking was Jack’s passion and profession, while for me, it was more of a necessity and a way to show love to my family.

On this particular day, I decided to prepare a three-course meal for our family gathering. I meticulously planned the menu, choosing dishes that I thought would be both impressive and within my skill level. I started with a creamy butternut squash soup, followed by a roasted chicken with garlic and herbs, and finished with a homemade apple pie.

As the hours passed, I found myself getting more and more anxious. I wanted everything to be perfect. I followed the recipes to the letter, hoping that my efforts would pay off. By the time our family arrived, I was exhausted but proud of what I had accomplished.

Everyone gathered around the dining table, and I served the first course. The soup received polite compliments, which boosted my confidence. Next came the roasted chicken. As I placed it on the table, I glanced at Jack, hoping for a sign of approval.

Instead, Jack took one bite and immediately began critiquing my cooking. “The chicken is overcooked,” he said loudly enough for everyone to hear. “And the seasoning is all wrong.”

I felt my face flush with embarrassment as our family members exchanged awkward glances. Jack continued his critique, pointing out every flaw in my meal. “The soup was too thick,” he added. “And the pie crust is underbaked.”

I wanted to disappear. All my hard work and effort seemed meaningless in that moment. I had hoped for some encouragement or at least a kind word from Jack, but instead, he had humiliated me in front of our entire family.

After dinner, I retreated to the kitchen to clean up, fighting back tears. Jack came in and tried to offer some advice on how I could improve my cooking next time, but his words felt like salt in the wound.

“I just wanted to make something special for you,” I said quietly.

Jack sighed. “I know you tried, but cooking is an art and a science. It takes years of practice.”

I nodded, feeling defeated. It was clear that no matter how hard I tried, I would never be able to match Jack’s culinary skills. Cooking was his world, and I was just an outsider trying to find my place in it.

As our family left that evening, I couldn’t shake the feeling of inadequacy. Jack’s critique had shattered my confidence, and I wondered if I would ever feel comfortable cooking for him again.

In the days that followed, I avoided the kitchen as much as possible. The joy I once found in preparing meals for my family had been replaced by anxiety and self-doubt. Jack continued to offer his advice, but it only served as a reminder of my shortcomings.

I realized that while Jack’s intentions might have been to help me improve, his approach had done more harm than good. Cooking had become a source of tension between us, and I wasn’t sure how to bridge the gap.

In the end, I decided to focus on what I could do well and leave the gourmet cooking to Jack. Our relationship might never be perfect, but I hoped that with time, we could find a way to appreciate each other’s strengths without tearing each other down.