How Do You Thank Someone For Cooked Food?

[Treacle71]

My coworker, bless her, brought me in a homemade curry that she cooked. I brought it home, but it was inedible. She wants me to let her know what I thought of it, but I can hardly tell her it went in the bin! I said I'd let her know tomorrow in a text. How can I word a text my appreciation for food she cooked? She said it was cooked with love.

[douglas9401]

If it was truly inedible then tell her, before somebody ends up in hospital.

[pastafreak]

Why was it inedible? Tasteless? Undercooked? Too hot? That can determine the way you thank her and how diplomatic you are.
If it's just taste, you can say it was nice but not as spicy/ more seasoned than what you'd usually have. If undercooked or had health risks if eaten...be honest. Nicely.

[Treacle71]

Thanks pastafreak. It was heavily salted with bones still in it from the lamb. I feel so bad for disliking it, but I have to lie to her.

[Barsel]

If you're not truthful with her, there's always a possibility she could do it again and again......

[pastafreak]

Aww...just say it was too salty, but you really appreciated the gesture. After all...it was a kind thing to do.

[Barsel]

To be honest, I think this is quite a difficult situation to be in.
I've been trying to think what I would say myself, but I honestly don't know.

[Geoffrey13]

You've certainly got a bit of a dilemma there! This is difficult to answer without knowing more about the nature of the coworker, your relationship with her, and her motivation behind the gesture. Is she for example a neophyte cook, making her first curry and requiring constructive criticism. In my experience it's most unusual to find bones in curry, and saltiness is very much a matter of personal preference. It's certainly a challenge in diplomacy for you - good luck.

[Old_Geezer]

Say it was more than you expected; no bones about it, she must be the salt of the Earth to have made it so.

[JimF]

Does she know for sure that you're not a vegetarian?

[rockyracoon]

Just tell her the truth, nicely, of course.

I did it once when a lady at work made me her version of Chai tea. It was awful. I just said ‘thanks, but it’s not for me.’ she was OK about it.

[lankeela]

Tell her you left it on the worktop and the cat ate it and died.

[Barsel]

That's a bit OTT Lankeela, but it made me laugh.

[barry1010]

It's not unusual to have bones in a curry.
Say something positive first but be honest, maybe 'it was very well spiced with a good balance of meat and veg but was too salty for my preference and I don't like eating meat off the bone. I do appreciate your kindness so thank you.'

[Chipchopper]

I think you have to be honest and say that you didn't like it, "no offence*

[Moorea7]

As she is your co-worker and you will be seeing her again, would it not be better to chat about it face-to-face - much better than a text? Whatever you say on a text, she is bound to mention it again at work.

[johnny.5]

just say that you thought it was a bit salty and the bones put you off a bit but you ate what you could

[Treacle71]

Thanks to you all guys. Some answers made me chuckle. xx