Two prominent culinary writers have publicly accused popular social media influencer and bakery owner Brooke Bellamy of copying their recipes for her best-selling cookbook, "Bake With Brooki." The accusations come from Nagi Maehashi, creator of RecipeTin Eats, and Sally McKenney, founder of Sally’s Baking Addiction. Despite the allegations, Bellamy denies any wrongdoing, asserting that her work is original. The dispute highlights complex issues surrounding recipe ownership and intellectual property in the culinary world.

The controversy has sparked discussions about the ethics of recipe creation and the challenges faced by content creators when protecting their work. Both Maehashi and McKenney emphasize the importance of recognizing originality and hard work in recipe development, while Bellamy defends her creations as inspired by classic techniques combined with personal experience.

Accusations Spark Debate on Recipe Originality

Culinary experts Nagi Maehashi and Sally McKenney have raised concerns over alleged similarities between their recipes and those featured in Brooke Bellamy's cookbook. Maehashi, known for her New York Times bestselling cookbook, presented a side-by-side comparison of caramel slice and baklava recipes to highlight striking resemblances. She argues that these parallels extend beyond mere coincidence, pointing to detailed specifics shared between the recipes.

Beyond presenting evidence, Maehashi stresses the broader implications of plagiarizing recipes. She contends that such actions undermine the integrity of published works and diminish the value of original content creation. McKenney echoes this sentiment, expressing solidarity with Maehashi and emphasizing the need for proper recognition of creators who invest significant effort into developing and testing recipes. Together, they advocate for greater accountability within the culinary publishing industry.

Defending Original Creations Amidst Legal Ambiguities

In response to the allegations, Bellamy maintains her innocence, arguing that her recipes are rooted in years of personal baking experience. She highlights her history of creating and selling caramel slices at her Brooki Bakehouse locations, predating Maehashi's published version. Bellamy acknowledges the intricate nature of baking, noting its reliance on precise formulas and shared methodologies that naturally lead to overlapping elements among different recipes.

Maehashi concedes that legal frameworks around plagiarism pose challenges in addressing these claims effectively. Copyright law protects creative expression rather than functional instructions or ingredient lists, complicating efforts to pursue legal recourse. While reproducing recipes using unique phrasing may avoid copyright infringement, ethical considerations remain critical. This case underscores the ongoing debate over how best to safeguard intellectual contributions in an increasingly interconnected culinary landscape, where inspiration often blurs into imitation.