Controversy Erupts as Influencer Accused of Recipe Plagiarism

The culinary landscape is buzzing after two cookbook authors accused Australian influencer Brooke Bellamy of plagiarism, claiming her cookbook mirrors their recipes. While Bellamy defends her creative process, legal tensions have arisen, highlighting issues of originality in a digital age.

Two renowned cookbook authors have raised serious allegations against TikTok influencer Brooke Bellamy, accusing her of copying their culinary creations. Nagi Maehashi, the force behind RecipeTin Eats, claimed that Bellamy's recently published cookbook has "word-for-word similarities" to her recipes. In contrast, Bellamy maintains that her book features "100 recipes I have created over many years," stating that one of the disputed recipes predates Maehashi's publication.

The drama escalated when American author Sally McKenney joined the fray, asserting that Bellamy had also plagiarized her vanilla cake recipe. According to Maehashi, a reader first alerted her to "remarkable similarities" between her caramel slice recipe and one featured in Bellamy's best-seller, Bake with Brooki. This prompted Maehashi to highlight comparable elements in both her baklava recipe and Bellamy's work, presenting side-by-side comparisons in a public statement.

With the RecipeTin Eats website attracting an impressive 45 million page views monthly, Maehashi’s influence in the culinary sphere is significant. Meanwhile, Bellamy, who launched her Brooki Bakehouse in Queensland in 2022, boasts a sizable TikTok following of two million. Maehashi expressed feelings of "blatant exploitation," having reached out to Bellamy's publisher, Penguin Random House Australia. According to Maehashi, legal counsel was involved, creating an environment that felt intimidating.

Despite the accusations, Penguin and Bellamy have staunchly denied wrongdoing, confirming that “the recipes in the BWB Book were written by Brooke Bellamy.” To quell tensions, Bellamy indicated a willingness to remove the disputed recipes from future editions while affirming her respect for Maehashi. On social media, she emphasized the nature of today's culinary inspirations, promoting a collaborative spirit among creators.

Both cookbooks are in contention for the upcoming Australian Book Industry Awards, adding to the scrutiny of the allegations. McKenney, author of Sally's Baking Addiction, echoed Maehashi's sentiments, stressing the importance of crediting original recipe creators in the competitive cookbook market. As discussions continue, many are left pondering the thin line between inspiration and imitation in recipe development.