Before I begin, recently I heard a friend get upset because she was invited to dinner at a friend’s house, someone she considered a longtime friend. They were served something they enjoyed at dinner. During dessert, they asked for the recipe and were flatly, rudely, refused. Claiming, it is a “family secret”. Really? Since, I am now annoyed and I have a blog. I can express my opinion.
Yes, there a very few instances when I can understand. For example, if a friend invited you to their house for a BBQ sauce tasting because they were developing a recipe they wanted to sell and mass market.
However, I was raised to share recipes my entire life. Even if it was referred to as Great Grandma’s “secret” family cookie..gravy… or cake recipe. It would have never entered into our heads to not share recipes. We always shared with anyone who asked for it. It is a major personal pet peeve of ours when people refuse to share recipes. We think it is crazy, selfish and rude. There. I said it.
Recipes or Reservations 
Some of that I understand. Both sides. I hope/dream to do a book one day .. Cookbook .. So I have a few recipes/tricks up my sleeve I would only save for that. I make THE best coconut macrons I haver ever .. A Martha recipe that I teakd .. If I give out the r I rarely give out the t. When you cone to LV Señora I will make you a house specialty: red pepper pesto .. ish! XP
Thanks Paul, I agree there are a few exceptions but in general I disagree. You should do a cookbook! and I understand saving a few special things for that because you plan to do it. Oooooh red pepper pesto sounds divine, Mr. Devine.
Hi Chris & Janine, I totally understand and agree. I thought I had some tricks up my sleeve that no one else knew. Then smelled the coffee… there is nothing, nada which you can not find the info on the internet. Even in action on youtube! Might as well share it with class/professionalism and leave your signature on it.
There is a program on TV that the famous baker said he can not share how he makes a certain pastry (a pastry which is around for 3 centuries) as it is his bakeries ‘secret’. I found at least 7 different videos on youtube precisely and in detail explaining how it is made in its original country with all the subtitles. 😀 ))) Fae.
Recipes are like folk tales to us. They are handed down from generation to generation and they get better the more they are told. We have no problems sharing our recipes. It’s like what you eluded to. We live in the information age. There really aren’t any secrets anymore. Nothing would make us happier than someone trying one of our recipes and then saying; “It was pretty good, but I made a slight change and it came out better”!
Anyway, keep sharing those recipes Fae. We appreciate it!
Chris & Janine