PSA: My colleague's constant comparisons to her grandmother's recipes are undermining my confidence in the office kitchen.
Every time I bring in a baked good, like my lemon bars last Tuesday, she immediately launches into how her grandmother's version was superior, citing vague details like 'more zest' or 'better crust.' I worked hard on those bars, adjusting the recipe three times to get the balance right, but her critique made me second-guess my efforts. Last month, I attempted a chocolate cake for a birthday, and she remarked it lacked the 'depth' of her family's recipe, even though several others asked for seconds. It's reached a point where I dread signing up for potlucks because I know her comments are coming. Baking used to be my creative outlet and a way to bond with coworkers, but now it feels like a performance judged against an impossible standard. I'm considering stopping altogether, which is a shame because I love sharing treats and seeing people enjoy them.