Do You Believe in Keeping Family Recipes a Secret?

September 10, 2009

Source: Getty

13 Comments

I agree with the chef that two cooks following the same recipe will almost never get the exact same result. Therefore, I have no issues sharing any recipes at all.

3 years 35 weeks

ok, guys, I'm a classically trained professional chef. I've noticed that the pros out there who won't share their recipes are usually very insecure cooks who didn't even create the recipe to begin with. I have no problems sharing. I'm not worried that my "signature" dish will no longer be exclusive to me. I know full well that two cooks following the same recipe almost never yields the exact result. Everyone puts their own touch, whether good or bad, into each dish.

fuzzles 3 years 35 weeks

I love to share. I'm not in a business that depends upon a secret recipe. So if I can pass along a recipe that makes one person happy, it will most likely be passed to others with the same effect. Isn't that what cooking is about? :D

Spectra 3 years 35 weeks

Most of them are ones I'd share, but there are a few that I can't give away. One of them is my grandma's Amish sugar cookies...for whatever reason, you can't just make them from a recipe; you have to adjust it for the weather. So there's not really a recipe for them written in stone. We always bake them together around Christmastime as a family and we like to keep the tradition alive.

chiefdishwasher 3 years 35 weeks

What could be secret about bacon wrapped dogs????????

Kimpossible 3 years 35 weeks

I answered "Yes, some recipes are family secrets." However, I personally don't mind sharing, but I don't mind if others don't want to share their family recipes.

POPSUGAR Food 3 years 35 weeks

akay, I agree! I'm all about sharing.

akay 3 years 35 weeks

It would be one thing if there was one or two certain recipes that you promised your dying grandmother you would not share, but if it's just a traditional family favorite, there's something smug and superior about denying someone's flattering request for the recipe.

wunami 3 years 35 weeks

Well, I mean...I'm willing to share most of my recipes...but it's nice to keep some signature stuff to yourself sometimes. Wish that was an option more than oblique reference of "Some recipes" in the yes option.

GlowingMoon 3 years 35 weeks

Nope, I'm more than happy to share recipes. In fact, I feel flattered when asked.

partysugar 3 years 35 weeks

I don't get why people refuse to share either. Where would we be if Julia Child or Ina Garten kept all their recipes a secret? I shared my family's recipe for our favorite dessert (alumnae bars) here!