Two prominent cookbook authors are embroiled in a controversy surrounding their recipes, claiming TikTok influencer Brooke Bellamy has plagiarized their work in her recently published cookbook. Nagi Maehashi, the Australian founder of the widely popular food website RecipeTin Eats, alleges that Bellamy's "Bake with Brooki" includes recipes that bear "word-for-word similarities" to hers.
Bellamy, the owner of the Brooki Bakehouse chain in Queensland, strongly denies these claims, asserting that her cookbook features "100 recipes I have created over many years." She even states that one disputed recipe predates Maehashi's version. The issue has drawn in another author, Sally McKenney, who accused Bellamy of copying her famous vanilla cake recipe as well.
Maehashi spotlighted the similarities between her caramel slice and baklava recipes and those featured in Bellamy's bestselling cookbook, further strengthening her claims. She has retained legal counsel, pursuing action against Bellamy and her publisher, Penguin Random House Australia, claiming "legal intimidation" and asserting that the use of her recipes without permission is a blatant exploitation of her work.
Despite the ongoing backlash, Penguin Random House and Bellamy have denied any wrongdoing, with the publisher affirming that all recipes were authored by Bellamy. However, Bellamy has reportedly expressed willingness to remove the contested recipes in future editions of her book to mitigate tension, along with showing respect for Maehashi's work.
Both authors are recognized in the baking community and have been nominated for this year's Australian Book Industry Awards, further highlighting the significance of this conflict. McKenney, who runs the popular blog Sally's Baking Addiction, joined the fray by emphasizing the importance of recognizing original recipe creators and their efforts. As this dispute unfolds, it draws attention to the broader discussions about inspiration and ownership within the culinary world.
