Whenever you see your recipes in a $4 million ebook

This can be 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, 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 towards me by Penguin and Brooki by what you say. However thanks, for the help you could have proven. I used to be so nervous and apprehensive.**

Private observe: This isn’t a publish I’m publishing calmly. I’ve spent many sleepless nights fretting over it, and lots of hours writing it. The best and most secure path can be to remain silent. I do know there’s threat that authorized motion could also be introduced towards me for talking out, and it’s formidable to tackle a serious 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 somewhat 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 nearly 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 nearly precisely albeit a number of 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 considered one of my recipes printed in a ebook launched with an enormous publicity marketing campaign from considered one of Australia’s largest publishers was surprising – it has bought over $4.6 million value of gross sales in below six months (92,849 copies bought as of 23 April 2025, in line with 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 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 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..!) slightly 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 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 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 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 type your individual opinion by reviewing the aspect by aspect comparisons of extracts I’ve supplied of my recipes – Caramel Slice (above), and Baklava (beneath), in addition to evaluating these recipes as a complete.

One specific recipe by a really well-known, beloved cookbook creator bears similarities so detailed, intensive, and particular that, in my opinion, dismissing it as a coincidence can 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 right now.

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 right now.

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 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 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 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 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 take pleasure in.

To see them plagiarised (in my opinion) 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 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 isn’t 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 ebook. I’ve not examined the ebook completely. I do not need the means or expertise 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 onerous work of each authentic creator who does issues the appropriate means.

And let’s not overlook – this isn’t a small ebook gathering mud at midnight nook of bookshops. This has been a blockbuster launched with an enormous 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 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, chopping corners?

That’s not simply disrespectful. It’s a kick within the guts of each creator who really places within the onerous 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 means 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 1000’s.

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 consumer respectfully rejects your shoppers’ allegations and confirms that the recipes within the BWB E book had been written by Brooke Bellamy.”

I ceased additional correspondence with Penguin through their attorneys final month as there was no level persevering with. They’d not admit improper doing and wouldn’t conform to take steps to treatment the scenario 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 ebook has been quietly launched into the market which has a unique Caramel Slice recipe (typical golden syrup model). Finally, this can substitute inventory in all retailers, although I’m positive the unique model stays.

The opposite recipes which were plagiarised, in my opinion, that I delivered to 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 scenario, it’s not anger or resentment or bitterness.

It’s disappointment.

Brooke – It didn’t should be like this. If you happen to had requested for permission, I might have given it and, understanding me, proudly promoted your ebook 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 trade. However to me, the best way 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, 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 wish to put Dozer’s lovable furry face in a publish coping with such an disagreeable matter.

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