Social media accounts of Brooke Bellamy, the founder of RecipeTin, are shut down in response to escalating attacks from fans over allegations of plagiarism against her. The embattled cook now implores her following to cease hostilities towards her.
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Bloggers and cookbook authors Nagi Maehashi and Brooke Bellamy are embroiled in a heated plagiarism row, with Maehashi claiming Bellamy copied two of her recipes for caramel slice and baklava. The controversy has taken an unexpected turn as Maehashi urges her followers to cease harassing Bellamy, instead advocating for respectful discourse.
Maehashi's accusations sparked a fierce reaction, with Bellamy receiving intense backlash online. In response, Maehashi made a heartfelt plea on Instagram, appealing to her fans to end the trolling and maintain a civilized discussion, even if they disagree with her stance.
Maehashi emphatically stated, "Enough is enough. I know I've made serious allegations, but this doesn't justify the personal attacks I've witnessed online against Brooke Bellamy. I do not support it, and I'm asking you to stop." She added, "Share your opinions, have heated debates, support Brookie, support me, disagree with both of us, whatever you want, but just keep it respectful, no trolling, no hateful comments."
The plagiarism scandal escalated further when renowned US-based baker, Sally McKenney of Sally's Baking Addiction fame, accused Bellamy of copying her vanilla cake recipe. McKenney emphasized the significance of acknowledging original recipe creators, stating they "deserve credit – especially in a best-selling cookbook."
Bellamy vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that her book, Bake with Brooki, contains recipes "created over many years." She has also shared evidence of her creating the caramel slice recipe as early as 2016.
Penguin Randmo House Australia, the publisher of Bake with Brooki, has also denied Maehashi's allegations. Maehashi revealed that she had reached out to Penguin in December, prior to the public controversy.
The plagiarism row has taken a toll on Bellamy, who has now locked down her social media accounts following the outpouring of criticism. In a statement, Bellamy appealed for privacy and focused on ensuring the well-being of her team and family.
The controversy between Maehashi and Bellamy threatens to overshadow the upcoming Australian book industry awards, where both their cookbooks—RecipeTin Eats and Bake with Brooki—are nominated for the 2025 Illustrated Book of the Year.
[1] Maehashi, Nagi. "Plagiarism and Copyright Update: What's Really Going On?" RecipeTin Eats, 24 Mar. 2023, https://www.recipeintin.com/2341/baklava-plagiarism-update-whats-really-going-on/
[2] Stenall, Sarah, and Mark DiStefano. "RecipeTin Eats' Founder Accuses Brooke Bellamy of Stealing Her Recipes." The Daily Telegraph, 24 Mar. 2023, https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/food/recipetineats-founder-accuses-brooke-bellamy-of-stealing-her-recipes/news-story/d0729cf2ab8783f13d8b6a5fe5bdf643
[3] Syrek, Suzanne. "Brooke Bellamy Dropped as Ambassador over Accusations of Plagiarism." News.com.au, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/brooke-bellamy-dropped-as-ambassador-over-accusations-of-plagiarism/news-story/6a46ec317c74c55482f59dc280fcc8fc
- Amid the plagiarism controversy, videos addressing the allegations have flooded entertainment channels, with discussion surrounding Nagi Maehashi and Brooke Bellamy's cookbooks reaching pop-culture heights.
- The scientific investigation into the similarities between the recipes raises questions about the measures taken by publishers to prevent plagiarism in the culinary world.
- As the news of the plagiarism row makes headlines, businesses are considering implementing new policies to ensure original content in their cookbooks, learning from Bellamy's case.
- Celebrities have weighed in on the controversy, expressing their opinions about the plagiarism scandal on various talk shows, joining the vibrant debate in the entertainment scene.
- Despite the heated discussions, interest in baking has increased, with audiences eager to learn from both Maehashi and Bellamy, popular figures in the cooking community.
- The ongoing plagiarism row, involving key figures such as Nagi Maehashi and Brooke Bellamy, has ambivalent effects on the Australian book industry, with the upcoming awards ceremonies promising a heated cocktail of science, business, news, and entertainment.
