Dictionary Definition
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"as·sault
n.
1. A violent physical or verbal attack.
2.
-a. A military attack, such as one launched against a fortified area or place.
-b. The concluding stage of an attack in which close combat occurs with the enemy.
-c. An unlawful threat or attempt to do bodily injury to another.
-d. The act or an instance of unlawfully threatening or attempting to injure another.
-e. Law Sexual assault.
-f. The crime of rape.
3. Law
-a. An unlawful threat or attempt to do bodily injury to another.
-b. The act or an instance of unlawfully threatening or attempting to injure another.
-c. Law Sexual assault.
-d. The crime of rape.
4.
-a. Law Sexual assault.
-b. The crime of rape.
"

Actual Statute definition
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609.224 ASSAULT IN THE FIFTH DEGREE.
Subdivision 1. Misdemeanor. Whoever does any of the following commits an assault and is
guilty of a misdemeanor:
(1) commits an act with intent to cause fear in another of immediate bodily harm or death; or
(2) intentionally inflicts or attempts to inflict bodily harm upon another.

Now, Nowhere in either of those definitions does it say anything about dumping food on anybody. It's not bodily injury. No physical harm is done (unless maybe the food was scolding hot...)

I'd say that dumping a plate of food on someone would be harassment or disorderly conduct, but definitely not assault. Assault is a much more violent crime that can even carry a higher status (Gross misdemeanor or Felony).

Job Interview: "Yes sir, I checked the felony box on the application because I once dumped Spaghetti-O's on my wife. It was a very violent plate of Spaghetti-O's..."

Dumping food on your spouse is abusive. I did not contest that. I just said that it wasn't assault. If he beat her over the head with the dinner plate, then that would be assault.

By the way, just what kind of FOOD would qualify as a 'weapon'? A wet noodle?
"...and thats when he bitchslapped me with a slice of buttered bread..."