Do Culinary Skills Really Matter That Much?: Nelly Korda Sparks Powerful Debate On Modern Relationships And How Her Ex Used Cooking to Manipulate Her

Golf icon Nelly Korda has never shied away from speaking her truth—and her latest revelation has fans talking. In a candid conversation during a recent podcast appearance, the world-renowned athlete opened up about a deeply personal experience: how her lack of traditional culinary skills became a source of conflict in a past relationship with a controlling ex-boyfriend.
“It Was Never About the Food”
Korda explained that while she was never the type to spend hours in the kitchen, she believed love should be built on mutual respect, not domestic performance. But her former partner thought otherwise.
“He made me feel like I was failing as a woman because I couldn’t cook three-course meals on command,” Korda said. “It wasn’t about the food—it was about control. It was another way to make me feel small.”
Fans Stand Behind Her
The confession quickly went viral, with fans flooding social media in support of Korda. Many praised her bravery in addressing an issue that many women still quietly endure: being judged for not fitting into outdated gender roles.
“She’s speaking for so many of us,” one fan tweeted. “You can be a boss on the golf course or in your career and still be told you’re ‘less than’ because you don’t cook? Enough already!”
A Deeper Issue
Korda’s story has sparked a broader debate about modern relationships and the pressure some women feel to meet stereotypical expectations. Experts chimed in, emphasizing that manipulation through domestic expectations is a subtle but very real form of emotional control.
“It’s not really about cooking,” one relationship coach noted. “It’s about power and the illusion of dominance through seemingly innocent demands.”
Redefining Relationship Norms
For Korda, the experience was eye-opening. She shared that it taught her to never compromise her self-worth to meet someone else’s idea of what she should be. “I want young girls—and women—to know that being in a relationship doesn’t mean sacrificing who you are,” she said.
As her story continues to make waves, Korda stands as a reminder that even champions face unfair expectations—but also that standing up for yourself is always in style.
So, do culinary skills really matter that much? According to Nelly Korda and her growing community of supporters, the answer is simple: only if they come from love, not obligation.