Whenever you see your recipes in a $4 million guide

It is a story a couple of multi-million greenback cookbook by a social media influencer, printed by a blue-chip writer, that includes quite a few recipes that, for my part, 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 threat of authorized motion being introduced in opposition to me by Penguin and Brooki by what you say. However thanks, for the assist you have got proven. I used to be so nervous and nervous.**

Private observe: This isn’t a put up I’m publishing frivolously. I’ve spent many sleepless nights fretting over it, and plenty of hours writing it. The simplest and most secure path can be to remain silent. I do know there’s threat 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 correct 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 observed “exceptional 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 observed that her recipe appeared to copy Nagi’s virtually precisely albeit just a few modifications in wording”.

Bake with Brooki was printed 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 certainly one of my recipes printed in a guide launched with an enormous publicity marketing campaign from certainly one of Australia’s greatest publishers was surprising – it has offered over $4.6 million value of gross sales in underneath 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 printed 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 will 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 title..!) fairly than golden syrup which is the standard recipe (provides it a metallic flavour, I swear!). I can let you know 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 found out 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 participating 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 signify me – Simpsons, a legislation 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 companion 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 type your personal opinion by reviewing the aspect by aspect comparisons of extracts I’ve offered 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 writer bears similarities so detailed, intensive, and particular that, in my opinion, dismissing it as a coincidence can 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 at the moment.

Equally, for different authors I’ve been in touch with, out of respect for and on the request of them, I can’t share additional particulars at the moment.

Recipe 2: Baklava

Baklava is a recipe I printed 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 possibly can see the writing distinction.

And here’s a side-by-side have a look at extracts of the Baklava recipe I printed to the one featured in Bake with Brooki. Click on right here for a photograph from the guide to match the recipes as a complete. To me, the similarities converse for themselves.

Seems 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 a couple of event.

And I share them freely on my web site for anybody to get pleasure from.

To see them plagiarised (in my opinion) and utilized in a guide 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 earnings 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

In my view, 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 your entire guide. I’ve not examined the guide totally. I should not 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 laborious work of each authentic creator who does issues the correct means.

And let’s not overlook – this isn’t a small guide gathering mud at the hours of darkness 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 as we speak 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 guide, chopping corners?

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

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

What I requested for: accountability

I requested Penguin to withdraw the guide containing the plagiarised recipes from sale, both attribute or take away my recipes from future reprints of the guide, 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 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 incorrect doing and wouldn’t comply with take steps to treatment the state of affairs to my satisfaction. How I want I may let you know what they supplied to do – however I can’t.

In current weeks, I perceive {that a} re-creation of the guide has been quietly launched into the market which has a special Caramel Slice recipe (typical golden syrup model). Ultimately, it will change inventory in all retailers, although I’m certain the unique model stays.

The opposite recipes which have been plagiarised, in my opinion, that I dropped at Penguin’s consideration at a later date haven’t (but) been modified.

However, greater than something, I’m simply dissatisfied

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 need to be like this. In case you had requested for permission, I’d have given it and, realizing me, proudly promoted your guide on launch. It prices nothing to credit score.

Penguin – You’re a high tier writer that’s speculated to worth and shield authentic content material, and uphold the integrity of the publishing business. However to me, the way in which you have got 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 photographs of him within the subsequent put up to make up for it after I get again to sharing scrumptious recipes!