Once you see your recipes in a $4 million ebook

It is a story a couple of multi-million greenback cookbook by a social media influencer, revealed by a blue-chip writer, that includes quite a few recipes that, for my part, are plagiarised, given the detailed and in depth word-for-word similarities to mine and people of different authors.

**UPDATE: I’ve needed to flip off additional feedback as a result of there may be further danger of authorized motion being introduced in opposition to me by Penguin and Brooki by what you say. However thanks, for the assist you could have proven. I used to be so nervous and frightened.**

Private word: This isn’t a publish I’m publishing evenly. I’ve spent many sleepless nights fretting over it, and plenty of hours writing it. The best and most secure path could be to remain silent. I do know there’s danger that authorized motion could also be introduced in opposition to me for talking out, and it’s formidable to tackle a significant writer and an influencer with an enormous TikTok following.

However I’m going forward as a result of, in my coronary heart, I do know it’s the appropriate factor to do. If my phrases really feel a little bit clunky, forgive me, it’s due to authorized constraints. ~ Nagi

All of it started with a reader e-mail

In November 2024, a reader emailed to say that she seen “outstanding similarities” between my Caramel Slice recipe and the model within the newly launched Bake With Brooki, a cookbook by Brooke Bellamy, an Australian social media influencer with virtually 4 million followers who has a cookie store in Queensland. 

This e-mail went on to say that “even to my novice eye, I seen that her recipe appeared to duplicate Nagi’s virtually precisely albeit just a few modifications in wording”.

Bake with Brooki was revealed in October 2024 by Penguin Random Home, one of many largest publishers in Australia.

I’m no stranger to seeing my recipes being copied on-line. However seeing what appeared to me to be one among my recipes printed in a ebook launched with an enormous publicity marketing campaign from one among Australia’s greatest publishers was stunning – it has offered over $4.6 million value of gross sales in below six months (92,849 copies offered as of 23 April 2025, based on Nielsen BookScan, RRP $49.99).

The primary recipe – Caramel slice comparability

Right here’s a comparability of extracts of the Caramel Slice recipe on my web site revealed in 2020 with the model in Bake with Brooki (2024). Click on right here for a photograph of the web page from Bake With Brooki to check the recipes as an entire.

Whereas recipes can resemble each other, as a result of there are solely so some ways some recipes may be made, the precision and element within the similarities on this case are, for my part, far too sturdy to be a co-incidence.

My Caramel Slice recipe is particular as a result of it’s made utilizing caramel as the bottom (I imply, the identify..!) fairly than golden syrup which is the standard recipe (provides it a metallic flavour, I swear!). I can inform you the precise second in my life that triggered the creation of this recipe – how and why it got here to be, and what I attempted earlier than deciding that I had discovered The One.

Attorneys and letters

I wrote to Penguin instantly, with my first letter despatched on 4 December 2024. Disappointingly, as a substitute of participating in civil discussions with me, Penguin introduced in legal professionals and resorted to what felt to me authorized intimidation – letters in stern, aggressive tones filled with pages of authorized jargon that I struggled to make sense of.

I engaged my very own legal professionals to characterize me – Simpsons, a regulation agency specialising in mental property, to assist me perceive my rights, assess my authorized place, and deal with correspondence from Penguin’s legal professionals. That is my lawyer, Adam Simpson, a companion on the agency:

Extra plagiarised recipes surfaced

Within the months we’ve been going forwards and backwards with Penguin’s legal professionals, extra recipes that appears to me to have been plagiarised have surfaced, together with one other recipe from my web site (Baklava) and recipes from different authors.

I invite you to type your individual opinion by reviewing the facet by facet comparisons of extracts I’ve offered of my recipes – Caramel Slice (above), and Baklava (beneath), in addition to evaluating these recipes as an entire.

One specific recipe by a really well-known, beloved cookbook writer bears similarities so detailed, in depth, and particular that, for my part, dismissing it as a coincidence could be absurd. Attributable to authorized constraints, and out of respect for and on the request of the writer, I’m unable to share additional particulars presently.

Equally, for different authors I’ve been involved with, out of respect for and on the request of them, I can not share additional particulars presently.

Recipe 2: Baklava

Baklava is a recipe I revealed in 2018 that I sourced from and credited to Natasha’s Kitchen. I fully rewrote the recipe in my very own phrases after testing it fairly extensively, the way in which I make it, with my tricks to make it foolproof. Click on right here for a comparability so you’ll be able to see the writing distinction.

And here’s a side-by-side have a look at extracts of the Baklava recipe I revealed to the one featured in Bake with Brooki. Click on right here for a photograph from the ebook to check the recipes as an entire. To me, the similarities communicate for themselves.

Looks like exploitation

I put an enormous quantity of effort and time into testing recipes, whether or not it’s an authentic creation or one tailored from one other supply. It’s what I’m identified for – the press have referred to as me “obsessive” about testing on multiple event.

And I share them freely on my web site for anybody to take pleasure in.

To see them plagiarised (for my part) and utilized in a ebook for revenue, with out permission, and with out credit score, doesn’t simply really feel unfair. It seems like a blatant exploitation of my work.

And since the revenue from my web site helps fund my meals financial institution, RecipeTin Meals, this isn’t simply legally questionable – I discover it ethically indefensible.

Plagiarism just isn’t excusable

For my part, plagiarism is rarely excusable, irrespective of how small. Each recipe represents hours of labor. Taking even one recipe with out credit score is a breach of belief that undermines the integrity of the complete ebook. I’ve not examined the ebook totally. I wouldn’t have the means or abilities to take action. what number of extra would I discover if I did?

Regardless, it’s not concerning the quantity – it’s concerning the precept. Rewarding shortcuts devalues the arduous work of each authentic creator who does issues the appropriate manner.

And let’s not neglect – this isn’t a small ebook gathering mud in the dead of night nook of bookshops. This has been a blockbuster launched with an enormous advertising and marketing marketing campaign. $4.6 million value of gross sales in Australia alone, in lower than 6 months. Each the writer and writer made an enormous splash about it on launch.

Why I’m talking up

I’m talking up right now as a result of staying silent solely protects their behaviour which, even when not a technical breach of copyright, I believe is unacceptable and unethical.

And to me, this isn’t nearly plagiarism. I’ve written two cookbooks. I do know what it takes. Each sentence, each picture, each recipe, the sleepless nights, placing your coronary heart and soul into each web page.

So when somebody comes alongside and places out a ebook, slicing corners?

That’s not simply disrespectful. It’s a kick within the guts of each writer who truly places within the arduous yards to create authentic work.

I believe it’s disgraceful {that a} blue chip writer like Penguin continued promoting the ebook after I introduced this to their consideration manner again on 4 December 2024.

What I requested for: accountability

I requested Penguin to withdraw the ebook containing the plagiarised recipes from sale, both attribute or take away my recipes from future reprints of the ebook, and to make a considerable donation to a charity in lieu of monetary compensation. Not for RecipeTin Meals – I don’t need their cash. I didn’t even ask for reimbursement of authorized charges I’ve incurred, which has now run into the tens of hundreds.

I additionally personally wrote a letter to Penguin’s administrators and despatched two letters to Brooke Bellamy. I didn’t obtain a response to any of them.

Allegations denied. What occurs now?

Penguin have denied my allegations, stating in a letter from their legal professionals that “Our consumer respectfully rejects your shoppers’ allegations and confirms that the recipes within the BWB Ebook have been written by Brooke Bellamy.”

I ceased additional correspondence with Penguin by way of their legal professionals final month as there was no level persevering with. They’d not admit fallacious doing and wouldn’t conform to take steps to treatment the state of affairs to my satisfaction. How I want I might inform you what they provided to do – however I can’t.

In current weeks, I perceive {that a} re-creation of the ebook has been quietly launched into the market which has a distinct Caramel Slice recipe (typical golden syrup model). Finally, this can substitute inventory in all retailers, although I’m certain the unique model stays.

The opposite recipes which have been plagiarised, for my part, that I delivered to Penguin’s consideration at a later date haven’t (but) been modified.

However, greater than something, I’m simply upset

If there’s one phrase that summarises how I really feel about this entire state of affairs, it’s not anger or resentment or bitterness.

It’s disappointment.

Brooke – It didn’t must be like this. In case you had requested for permission, I might have given it and, realizing me, proudly promoted your ebook on launch. It prices nothing to credit score.

Penguin – You’re a prime tier writer that’s speculated to worth and shield authentic content material, and uphold the integrity of the publishing trade. However to me, the way in which you could have dealt with this matter has proven a disregard for the very rules you declare to face for.

I anticipated higher from a writer of your standing.

Do higher. As a result of the authors who pour their time, ability, and originality into their work – those you declare to champion – deserve it.

– Nagi Maehashi
RecipeTin Eats
29 April 2025

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PS Penguin and Brooke Bellamy – right here is the coverage to be used of my recipes on my web site which has been there since 2015.

Lifetime of Dozer

I don’t need to put Dozer’s lovable furry face in a publish coping with such an disagreeable matter.

I’ll share additional images of him within the subsequent publish to make up for it once I get again to sharing scrumptious recipes!