If that’s the essence of the whole story, someone is an idiot with a stick up their ass! Every culture on this planet has borrowed from each other things that they admire - especially foods! … To learn to appreciate things from other cultures is a good thing and hurts no one… Unfortunately there’s probably not a lot you can do with an idiot in HR or a jackass coworker who resents your enjoyment of other foods. It might not even be “cultural appropriation” that your coworker really didn’t like - It might be they didn’t like the smell of the food or they felt you were bragging about being able to cook. In that case complaints of “cultural appropriation” was just something they could take to HR. I suggest you continue to enjoy cooking whatever you like at home but not to brag about your cooking to your coworkers or heat strong smelling dishes in in the company microwave.

Whoever is running your office is a dumbass.

WT actual F? If this is real then counter report the idjit for any mention of pajamas, drinking tea, asking for pepper, eating a burrito, pizza, pasta, rice, *potatoes*, coffee, sushi, noodle cups, using chopsticks, olive oil, eating olives, mozzarella, brie, chocolate, Scotch whiskey, Cornish pasties, Scotch eggs... The list could go on for pages. When you stop and think about it almost everything we eat is 'culturally appropriated' these days. Hell, the only actually American bit of Thanksgiving dinner is probably the turkey. And that's just the food. Just keep reporting anyone for eating or using anything that isn't from their own origin culture. HR sees it as a problem that people need calling out on? Make it so much of a problem that they STFU and GTFO on it. Malicious compliance with idjits for the win.

Double down on the cooking. Bring in leftovers from different cultures each day, get those cooking juices flowing.

Tell them to show you that in the employee handbook.

Bring some real British fish and stick it in the microwave. They will learn to appreciate leftover Indian food.