Two cookbook authors, Nagi Maehashi and Sally McKenney, are alleging that popular Australian TikTok influencer Brooke Bellamy has copied their recipes in her cookbook, "Bake with Brooki". Maehashi, known for her successful food website RecipeTin Eats, claims the similarities between her recipes and Bellamy’s are "word-for-word." In response, Bellamy states that her cookbook includes "100 recipes I have created over many years," insisting that one recipe in question predates Maehashi's version.
Shortly after Maehashi's claims surfaced, US author McKenney described Bellamy’s adoption of her vanilla cake recipe as plagiarism. Maehashi highlighted the "remarkable similarities" specifically between her caramel slice recipe and Bellamy's, presenting a side-by-side comparison to emphasize her standpoint. The success of Maehashi's work is evident as her website garners 45 million page views monthly, while Bellamy has rapidly gained popularity with over two million TikTok followers and three bakery locations opened in Queensland since 2022.
Maehashi expressed frustration over the situation, noting that she had reached out to Bellamy’s publisher, Penguin Random House Australia, who subsequently involved legal counsel. "This feels like blatant exploitation of my work," Maehashi commented, "to see them plagiarised and used in a book for profit, without permission, and without credit... it's unfair."
Despite the allegations, Penguin and Bellamy have adamantly denied any wrongdoing, affirming that all recipes were crafted by Bellamy herself. In a bid to alleviate tensions, Bellamy has suggested removing the contested recipes from future printings, showing respect for Maehashi, though she maintains the authenticity of her work in a series of Instagram posts.
Both Maehashi's and Bellamy's cookbooks are contenders for this year's Australian Book Industry Awards. McKenney shared her disappointment on social media, stressing the importance of recognizing original recipe creators, especially in a commercially successful cookbook.
