Two top food writers have accused influencer and bakery owner Brooke Bellamy of plagiarizing their recipes in her bestselling book. Nagi Maehashi, who runs the RecipeTin Eats website, and Sally McKenney, of the Sally’s Baking Addiction site, allege that several recipes in Bellamy’s book “Bake With Brooki,” which is published by Penguin Random House Australia, were copied from their own work — accusations that Bellamy, who has two million followers on TikTok, has denied. Maehashi, author of the New York Times bestseller “RecipeTin Eats: Dinner,” who has 1.6 million followers on Instagram, set out her allegations in a post on her website Tuesday, publishing her own and Bellamy’s recipes for caramel slice and baklava side by side. “To me, the similarities between the recipes in question are far too specific and detailed to be dismissed as coincidence,” she wrote. “I’m speaking up because staying silent protects this kind of behaviour. Profiting from plagiarised recipes is unethical—even if it is not copyright infringement—and undermines the integrity of the entire book,” said Maehashi. “And it’s a slap in the face to every author who puts in the hard work to create original content rather than cutting corners,” she added. Maehashi also quoted a message from Penguin’s lawyers to her lawyer in which the company denies that the recipes were plagiarized. “Our client respectfully rejects your clients’ allegations and confirms that the recipes in the BWB Book were written by Brooke Bellamy,” reads a statement from Penguin’s legal team quoted by Maehashi in her post. Maehashi’s second book, “RecipeTin Eats: Tonight,” and Bellamy’s “Bake With Brooki” are both shortlisted for the illustrated book of the year prize at the 2025 Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA). CNN has contacted Maehashi and Penguin Random House Australia for comment. McKenney backed Maehashi in a post on Instagram, where she has one million followers. “Nagi, you know how much I admire and support you — and I’m so grateful you let me know months ago that one of my recipes (The Best Vanilla Cake I’ve Ever Had, published by me in 2019) was also plagiarized in this book and also appears on the author’s YouTube channel,” she wrote. “Original recipe creators who put in the work to develop and test recipes deserve credit — especially in a best-selling cookbook,” added McKenney, who declined to offer further comment when contacted by CNN. In response, Bellamy published a post on Instagram on Tuesday in which she said she had been making and selling her caramel slice for four years before Maehashi published her recipe on her website. Bellamy, who runs three branches of her bakery chain Brooki Bakehouse, also released a statement sent to CNN on Wednesday in which she said the response to the allegations has been “extremely overwhelming” and “deeply distressing.” “I do not copy other people’s recipes. Like many bakers, I draw inspiration from the classics, but the creations you see at Brooki Bakehouse reflect my own experience, taste, and passion for baking, born of countless hours of my childhood spent in my home kitchen with Mum,” the statement reads. “While baking has leeway for creativity, much of it is a precise science and is necessarily formulaic. Many recipes are bound to share common steps and measures: if they don’t, they simply don’t work,” Bellamy added. Maehashi acknowledged that the law around plagiarism and online content makes it hard to challenge legally. “Copyright law protects creative expression, not facts or functional instructions. So while you can’t copyright the idea of ‘a caramel slice made without golden syrup in the filling’ copyright can protect the way a recipe is written,” she wrote. “In practical terms, this means if someone copies enough of your words, they may be infringing your copyright. But if they just use the same ingredients and basic steps written in their own words, it’s usually not an infringement of copyright – even if it’s unethical because you have not been given credit,” Maehashi added.
Food writers accuse popular influencer of plagiarizing their recipes
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Food Writers Accuse Influencer Brooke Bellamy of Recipe Plagiarism"
CNN
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TruthLens AI Summary
Brooke Bellamy, a popular influencer and bakery owner, is facing accusations from prominent food writers Nagi Maehashi and Sally McKenney, who allege that her bestselling cookbook, "Bake With Brooki," contains plagiarized recipes. Maehashi, known for her website RecipeTin Eats and her own bestselling cookbook, detailed her claims in a blog post where she juxtaposed her recipes for caramel slice and baklava with those found in Bellamy’s book. Maehashi argues that the similarities are too intricate to be mere coincidence, emphasizing the ethical implications of profiting from borrowed content. She expressed her frustration over the situation, stating that it undermines the integrity of original work and disrespects those who invest time and creativity into their recipes. Despite these claims, Penguin Random House Australia, the publisher of Bellamy's book, has denied the allegations, asserting that the recipes were authored by Bellamy herself.
In a show of support, McKenney, who operates the Sally’s Baking Addiction website, also accused Bellamy of plagiarizing her recipe for The Best Vanilla Cake. She highlighted the need for original recipe creators to receive proper credit, particularly in a successful cookbook. In her defense, Bellamy claimed to have been making the caramel slice prior to Maehashi's recipe publication and expressed that the response to the plagiarism allegations has been overwhelming and distressing. She maintains that while baking may involve common ingredients and techniques, her creations reflect her personal journey and passion for the craft. Maehashi acknowledged the complexities surrounding copyright law, which protects the expression of ideas rather than the ideas themselves. This legal ambiguity complicates the pursuit of justice for plagiarism, as one can use similar ingredients and methods without infringing copyright, even if it raises ethical concerns regarding crediting original creators.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent allegations against influencer and bakery owner Brooke Bellamy regarding plagiarism highlight ongoing tensions within the food writing community. This situation raises questions about originality, ethics, and the responsibilities of influencers, especially in a digital age where content is widely shared and repurposed.
Intent Behind the Publication
The article appears to aim at shedding light on the ethical implications of content creation within the culinary world. By featuring the accusations from established food writers against a popular influencer, the piece seeks to foster a discussion about the importance of originality and the potential consequences of plagiarism. It also serves to support the claims of the accused writers, who represent a traditional and established segment of the food writing community.
Public Perception and Implications
The narrative set forth in this article could influence public perception of Bellamy, potentially swaying her large follower base against her. This could lead to a broader discussion within the community about what constitutes ethical content sharing, and it may inspire other creators to be more vigilant about their own work. The accusations also have the potential to damage Bellamy’s credibility, especially if the allegations gain traction.
Hidden Agendas
There may not be overt hidden agendas, but the article does reflect a broader concern within the culinary community about the dilution of original content through the practices of influencers. This concern may overshadow other ongoing issues, such as the commercialization of food content and the pressures of social media engagement.
Manipulative Elements
While the article is factual in nature, it leans on emotionally charged language and the support of well-known figures to create a compelling narrative. This approach could be seen as manipulative in that it seeks to generate a strong emotional response from readers, potentially leading them to take sides in the dispute.
Truthfulness and Reliability
The reliability of this article is bolstered by the inclusion of direct quotes and specific examples comparing recipes. However, the absence of a direct response from Bellamy in the main text may skew perceptions against her. Overall, the information appears to be credible, but it is framed in a way that emphasizes the negative aspects of Bellamy’s actions.
Community Support
This article likely resonates more with established food writers and culinary professionals who value originality and integrity in their field. It may also appeal to audiences who are critical of influencer culture, as it underscores the challenges faced by traditional creators in the digital landscape.
Economic and Market Impact
The allegations could have economic implications for Bellamy's brand and the publishers involved. If consumers begin to lose trust in Bellamy’s work, it could result in decreased sales for her book and potential repercussions for Penguin Random House Australia. The situation also highlights the precarious nature of influencer branding in the food sector, where public perception can rapidly change.
Global Context
In a broader context, this story touches upon themes of intellectual property and ethics in digital content creation, which are increasingly relevant in today’s interconnected world. While it may not have immediate geopolitical implications, it aligns with ongoing discussions about copyright and originality in creative industries.
AI Influence
There is no clear indication that artificial intelligence was used in the creation of this article. However, if AI were involved, it could have influenced the narrative style and emphasis on emotional appeal. The language used could potentially reflect algorithmic trends that prioritize engagement over neutrality.
Overall, the article underscores the importance of originality in creative fields and the challenges posed by the rise of influencer culture, particularly in the culinary space. The way the story is framed could lead to significant reputational consequences for those involved.