If you see your recipes in a $4 million e book

It is a story a few multi-million greenback cookbook by a social media influencer, revealed by a blue-chip writer, that includes quite a few recipes that, in my view, are plagiarised, given the detailed and intensive 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’s extra danger of authorized motion being introduced in opposition to me by Penguin and Brooki by what you say. However thanks, for the help you’ve proven. I used to be so nervous and apprehensive.**

Private observe: This isn’t a put up I’m publishing frivolously. I’ve spent many sleepless nights fretting over it, and lots of hours writing it. The simplest 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 fitting factor to do. If my phrases really feel slightly 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 copy 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 e book launched with an enormous publicity marketing campaign from one among Australia’s largest publishers was stunning – it has offered over $4.6 million value of gross sales in underneath six months (92,849 copies offered as of 23 April 2025, in response to 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 match the recipes as a complete.

Whereas recipes can resemble each other, as a result of there are solely so some ways some recipes could be made, the precision and element within the similarities on this case are, in my view, far too robust 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..!) relatively than golden syrup which is the everyday recipe (offers 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.

Legal professionals and letters

I wrote to Penguin instantly, with my first letter despatched on 4 December 2024. Disappointingly, as a substitute of partaking in civil discussions with me, Penguin introduced in attorneys 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 attorneys to symbolize 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 attorneys. That is my lawyer, Adam Simpson, a accomplice on the agency:

Extra plagiarised recipes surfaced

Within the months we’ve been going forwards and backwards with Penguin’s attorneys, 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 kind your individual opinion by reviewing the facet by facet comparisons of extracts I’ve supplied of my recipes – Caramel Slice (above), and Baklava (under), in addition to evaluating these recipes as a complete.

One explicit recipe by a really well-known, beloved cookbook creator bears similarities so detailed, intensive, and particular that, for my part, dismissing it as a coincidence could be absurd. Resulting from 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 utterly rewrote the recipe in my very own phrases after testing it fairly extensively, the best way I make it, with my tricks to make it foolproof. Click on right here for a comparability so you may see the writing distinction.

And here’s a side-by-side take 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 e book to match the recipes as a complete. To me, the similarities communicate for themselves.

Appears like exploitation

I put an enormous quantity of effort and time into testing recipes, whether or not it’s an unique creation or one tailored from one other supply. It’s what I’m recognized 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 get pleasure from.

To see them plagiarised (for my part) and utilized in a e book for revenue, with out permission, and with out credit score, doesn’t simply really feel unfair. It appears 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 isn’t excusable

For my part, plagiarism is rarely excusable, regardless 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 whole e book. I’ve not examined the e book 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 in regards to the quantity – it’s in regards to the precept. Rewarding shortcuts devalues the arduous work of each unique creator who does issues the fitting approach.

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

Why I’m talking up

I’m talking up as we speak as a result of staying silent solely protects their behaviour which, even when not a technical breach of copyright, I feel 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 photograph, each recipe, the sleepless nights, placing your coronary heart and soul into each web page.

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

That’s not simply disrespectful. It’s a kick within the guts of each creator who really places within the arduous yards to create unique work.

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

What I requested for: accountability

I requested Penguin to withdraw the e book containing the plagiarised recipes from sale, both attribute or take away my recipes from future reprints of the e book, and to make a considerable donation to a charity in lieu of economic 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 attorneys that “Our shopper respectfully rejects your purchasers’ allegations and confirms that the recipes within the BWB Guide have been written by Brooke Bellamy.”

I ceased additional correspondence with Penguin by way of their attorneys final month as there was no level persevering with. They’d not admit unsuitable doing and wouldn’t comply with 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} new version of the e book has been quietly launched into the market which has a unique Caramel Slice recipe (typical golden syrup model). Ultimately, this can change inventory in all retailers, although I’m certain the unique model stays.

The opposite recipes which were 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 complete state of affairs, it’s not anger or resentment or bitterness.

It’s disappointment.

Brooke – It didn’t must be like this. In the event you had requested for permission, I might have given it and, figuring out me, proudly promoted your e book on launch. It prices nothing to credit score.

Penguin – You’re a prime tier writer that’s purported to worth and shield unique content material, and uphold the integrity of the publishing business. However to me, the best way you’ve 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, talent, 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 lovely furry face in a put up coping with such an disagreeable matter.

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