AITAH for refusing to give my family free culinary services for a party.
I (22M) am a trained Chef and recently graduated from a course in culinary school. It was a bit expensive, and my aunt and mom contributed to help me pay the fee there (relevant later) Ever since I finished and started to use my skills to earn some cash, my family has been treating me as some personal chef which I didn't mind at all at first.
It started small helping out at small family gatherings, giving tips on recipes. But now it seems I'm actually expected to be doing real loads of work for free.
Last week, my aunt asked me to cater my cousin’s engagement party which she invited 50+ people which was wild as she just approached me while casually saying other professional chefs are too expensive for her.
When I said I couldn’t do it for free, she acted shocked and said, “We are family, and you wouldn't have this opportunity if I didn't invest in your skills?”.
So, she went and spread the word around on how I refused to help her, and some uncles and cousins are telling me how I'm sort of greedy and I should use the opportunity to repay the Favour she did me.
I told them I love cooking, but it’s my job now, and I can’t work for free. Now they’re calling me selfish altogether.
AITAH?