In a recent controversy, Brooke Bellamy, a Brisbane-based TikTok star and bakery owner, faces allegations of recipe theft from two prominent online bakers. Nagi Maehashi from the well-known cooking site RecipeTin Eats publicly accused Bellamy of copying her caramel slice and baklava recipes, which appeared in Bellamy’s cookbook, Bake with Brooki, released last year. Maehashi expressed her distress over the apparent similarities, claiming it undermines the work of original creators.
In response to these accusations, Bellamy firmly denied any wrongdoing, describing the situation as "deeply distressing" for her family. She stated that she has been making the caramel slice for years prior to Maehashi’s recipe being published. Bellamy offered to remove the contested recipes from future editions of her book but maintains that her creations are inspired by her own experiences rather than direct copies.
Shortly after Maehashi’s claims became public, US baker Sally McKenny also claimed that her recipe for "The Best Vanilla Cake I’ve Ever Had" was plagiarised in Bellamy’s book. McKenny, who runs Sallysbakeblog, has a substantial online following herself and reinforced the importance of crediting original creators in best-selling cookbooks.
While Bellamy reiterated her commitment to original recipe development and the positive community surrounding baking, she expressed that criticism and media scrutiny have taken a toll on her and her family. She noted the inherent overlap in baking recipes, stating that many share common steps due to the precise nature of the craft.
Maehashi elaborated on the issue, alleging that Penguin Random House, which published Bellamy’s book, dismissed her claims of copyright infringement. Though she has not pursued legal action, she emphasised the ethical implications of profiting from one’s work without proper attribution, calling it unfair to authors who dedicate significant effort to their creations.
Despite these tensions, both Bellamy and her critics share a love for baking and crafting recipes. Bellamy remains steadfast in her belief that the foundation of baking involves drawing inspiration from the work of others, promoting a spirit of creativity and sharing within the culinary community.
Currently, Penguin Random House Australia has been contacted for comments regarding the allegations, but as it stands, the accusations have sparked considerable discussion about originality and ethics in recipe development within the baking landscape. All parties involved are influential figures in the culinary world, with millions of followers and a wide audience engaged in these unfolding events.