Baking expert delivers shock take on RecipeTin Eats plagiarism scandal: 'I don't want to get in trouble'
A Brisbane baker has weighed in on a controversy surrounding two Aussie food influencers and claims of plagiarised recipes.
RecipeTin Eats founder and best-selling author, Nagi Maehashi, has accused Penguin Australia of plagiarising recipes in Brooke Bellamy's Bake With Brooki.
Nagi took to social media and her website on Tuesday to make the accusations and invited followers to make their own conclusions.
Later that evening, Brooke hit back on Instagram to vehemently deny the accusations.
Now the owner and head baker at popular Brisbane eatery The Annerley Kitchen has given his thoughts on the drama.
Speaking to B105's Stav, Abby & Matt on Wednesday, baker Tu Pham gave his take on the confection clash.
'Could it be possible that the caramel slice recipe is just a caramel slice recipe and that's just what it is,' co-host Stav Davidson asked.
The baker replied that, like a snowflake, every caramel slice was unique.
'No every caramel slice recipe is different,' he said. 'Different ingredients. Similar ingredients but also different.'
'My caramel slice recipe is different to my brother's which is different to my other brother's and we are a family of bakers so every slice is different.'
Co-host Abby Coleman then asked Tu if the use of condensed milk was comment in caramel slice, as Nagi had claimed it was her 'secret'.
'Condensed milk is a primary ingredient in the caramel slice,' he admitted while revealing that vegetarian and vegan versions may use condensed coconut cream as a substitute.
Tu was then asked by Matt Acton to make a judgement call on who was in the right in the foodie fracas.
'Tu, I guess as an expert in caramel slice, we need to know whose side are you on?' he questioned.
RecipeTin Eats founder and best-selling author, Nagi Maehashi, has accused Penguin Australia of plagiarising recipes in Brooke Bellamy's Bake With Brooki including caramel slice and baklava/ Pictured: Brooke Bellamy
Now the owner and head baker at popular Brisbane eatery The Annerley Kitchen (pictured) Tu Pham has given his thoughts on the drama
'I've got to be on the fence,' Tu diplomatically replied. 'I don't want to get in trouble.'
Brooke released her debut cook book in October 2024 after her Brisbane-based store Brooki Bakehouse became a viral sensation on TikTok.
Ms Bellamy's 'day in the life' videos were a huge hit as she gained a following almost four million followers across social media.
But the RecipeTin Eats founder has claimed that Bake With Brooki contains several plagiarised recipes including two of her own - caramel slice and baklava.
'To me, the similarities are so specific and detailed that calling these a coincidence feels disingenuous,' Nagi wrote.
'There are also recipes from other authors, including from a very well known, beloved cookbook author where the similarities are so extensive, dismissing it as coincidence would be absurd (in my opinion).
The RecipeTin Eats founder said Penguin had denied the allegations via their lawyers, adding that she's yet to receive a response from Ms Bellamy directly.
In a statement shared by Nagi, the publisher's lawyers said: 'Our client respectfully rejects your clients' allegations and confirms that the recipes in the BWB Book were written by Brooke Bellamy.'
Tu was then asked by Matt Acton to make a judgement call on who was in the right in the foodie fracas
'I've got to be on the fence,' the baker diplomatically replied. 'I don't want to get in trouble'
Ms Maehashi, who has now turned off comments on her Instagram post due to legal concerns, claimed she brought the allegations to Penguin's attention last December.
'You're a top tier publisher entrusted with protecting original work and upholding the integrity of the publishing industry,' she wrote.
'Your lack of accountability is profoundly disappointing.'
She alleged a new version of Bake With Brooki has quietly been released into stores in recent weeks with one huge difference in its pages.
In Ms Bellamy's original recipe, caramel is used to make the base in a similar way to Ms Maehashi's recipe.
The caramel slice recipe has since been tweaked, which Ms Maehashi claims is in response to her claims of plagiarism.
The RecipeTin Eats founder explained she used caramel 'rather than golden syrup which is the typical recipe' for this particular dessert.
In a new version of Bake With Brooki released to stores in recent weeks, the caramel slice recipe allegedly features golden syrup as an ingredient.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
How Robert Irwin got in the 'best shape of his life' for THAT viral Bonds campaign
Robert Irwin has revealed how he whipped himself into shape for his internet breaking Bonds underwear campaign. The wildlife warrior, 21, set pulses racing in April after posing in a series of steamy snaps promoting the iconic Aussie underwear brand in the US. Speaking to QWeekend, Robert revealed that he wanted to be the 'best version' of himself for the campaign. He said that he was on location shooting I'm A Celebrity when he nabbed the gig, adding that he had to keep the campaign a secret. 'I was shooting I'm a Celebrity in Africa when I was offered it. I couldn't tell anyone, but I started to research this really intensive program and I buckled down on my nutrition, weightlifting and cardio,' Robert said. He added that his I'm A Celebrity co-host Julia Morris had an inkling that something was afoot. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'We'd start at 4am, finish at 6pm and then I'd be working out all night. I'd be doing sit-ups between takes, and Julia would say, 'You've got something going on', but I couldn't tell her,' he said. 'But I knew that Bonds is an iconic Australian brand, so quintessentially Australian, and that I'd be representing home, so I was going to be the absolute best I could be.' Robert also admitted that he found the slew of parodies that flooded the internet in the wake of his viral campaign 'hilarious.' He also gave an insight into how he maintains his chiselled physique back in April. Taking to Instagram, he shared a series of pulse-raising images and clips that showed him, once again, flaunting his buff physique. He was seen striking a pose that would not look out of place in a body-building competition as he showed off his rippling muscles. Videos showed Robert's workout routine, which include chin-ups, lifting sandbags, and lifting weights. Robert also posted an image that showed his workout routine written in an exercise book as well as a shot of what appeared to be a very healthy looking breakfast. 'I was shooting I'm a Celebrity in Africa when I was offered it. I couldn't tell anyone, but I started to research this really intensive program and I buckled down on my nutrition, weightlifting and cardio,' Robert told QWeekend His routine includes dumbbell bench presses, bicep curls, and tricep pushdowns. If that wasn't enough, Robert's strenuous workout also includes preacher curls and a 5-kilometre loop run, which he completed in 21 minutes. Captioning the series of images, Robert said that health and fitness had always been priorities in his life. 'Wellness and fitness have always been a big part of my life, and one of the things that got me excited to be part of my recent Bond's shoot was that it gave me a real goal to strive toward,' he said. 'I wanted to feel my best to represent Australia! Life is so busy right now, but there is never a perfect time to get into better shape (and I'm not just talking physical shape!!!).' Continuing the expansive post, Robert had some sage words of advice for followers looking to start their own fitness journey. 'There isn't one single formula to follow. I reckon the most important thing is not to compare yourself to anyone else, just keep trying to be the best version of YOU,' he said. 'Listen to your body, keep moving and improving. Treat your whole body, inside and out with kindness, focus on good nutrition and apply a healthy amount of discipline. 'It has done wonders for my mind, and given me that extra lightness in my step.' Robert, who is the son of the late icon Steve Irwin, posed in a series of smoking pictures for People Magazine as he modelled the Aussie underwear. In one picture, Robert left little to the imagination as he wore a pair of white underwear, giving a smouldering look to the camera as a large snake was wrapped around his neck. In another snap, he cuddled with a large lizard, but this time, Robert was more covered up in a casual white tank top and dark teal undies.
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Harry and Meghan 'axe four key staff members' as 'another change' looms
Earlier this year, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hired Meredith Maines as their new chief communication officer, and over the past few months their team has undergone some changes Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly axed four key staff members while revamping their team. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to have parted ways with their LA-based deputy press secretary Kyle Boulia and UK press officer Charlie Gipson. Both of them were hired in April 2024. Two other members of the couple's private team have reportedly also left in recent weeks. The changes come after Harry and Meghan appointed a new team, headed by chief communication officer (CCO) Meredith Maines, earlier this year. Meredith confirmed her team is now made up of eight people working across five different time zones. Harry and Meghan also recently hired Emily Robinson, who previously oversaw global publicity for The Crown from seasons three to six, as their new director of communications. Season six of the hit Netflix drama programme aired controversial storylines which included Prince Harry wearing Nazi fancy dress, Princess Diana's Panorama interview, and scenes depicting Diana as a ghost speaking to Queen Elizabeth II. A source has now claimed more changes could be in the works for the couple, who stepped down as senior royals in 2020 and now live in California with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The source told Hello! Magazine: "Something tells me there will be another change in the future. Meghan and Harry have hired some of the most incredible people at the top of their fields, yet somehow none of them ever work out." Following reports of changes within the Sussexes' team, their CCO Meredith said in a statement shared with The Mirror: "As the Duke and Duchess's business and philanthropic interests grow, I have made the strategic decision to move toward a more traditional communications structure of specialist agency support, as previously reported in Forbes and PR Week several weeks ago. Transitioning from a team of two to an agency support staff of eight, operating across five different time zones, will give international media and stakeholders better access, and critically, faster response times to inquiries." Earlier this week we reported that Meghan was due to attend a charity event in Los Angeles tomorrow, but t he bash has been cancelled due to ongoing unrest in the city. The Duchess was scheduled to be the guest of honour at the Museum of Natural History in LA, where she was expected to give a speech about her extensive charity work. However, as the streets of LA continue to be occupied by protestors facing off against ICE officers, organisers postponed the black-tie Night of Wonder event. Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, President and Director of the Natural History Museum in LA, said in a statement: "As an institution 'of, for, and with Los Angeles,' our responsibility during challenging times is clear: to serve as a community resource focused on healing and unity, not celebration." "Los Angeles needs us to channel our energy toward supporting our neighbours and demonstrating the values that make our city and county strong," her statement continued. The statement went on to clarify that the decision to indefinitely postpone the event was made by the museum's Board of Trustees, leadership and event partners, who "unanimously agreed" that pausing the event was "the appropriate response to current community circumstances." Chief Advancement Officer Paul Bessire added: "We will find a future moment to celebrate our work. Until then, we will channel our energy towards being welcoming spaces for learning and discovery for everyone who walks through our doors." The museum is expected to reschedule the event for a later date, and will continue with their daily operations and educational programs until the event is back in the calendar.
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Daily Record
Kylie Minogue cancels series of shows over sudden illness with sad statement
Kylie Minogue has cancelled four of her upcoming shows on her Tension Tour after suddenly falling ill and has now issued her fans with an update. Kylie Minogue has revealed she has "no choice" but to cancel four of her upcoming shows due to an illness. The 56-year-old icon has just completed the UK leg of her tour and was set to head to Europe next. However, she has been hit with a nasty case of laryngitis and has told fans she is now resting her voice in a sad update on social media. Kylie said in a statement: "Hi Lovers, as some of you may know, a week ago we finished the UK leg of the Tension Tour. I made it over the finish line (yay) but unfortunately have succumbed to a viral infection (Hello laryngitis). 'I've tried my best to recover fast to start our next run on Monday but I'm afraid it will take me some days to be well enough to get back on stage and perform the best for you.' Kylie continued: 'I'm so, SO sorry! "I have no choice but to postpone the shows in Berlin, Lodz, Kaunas and Tallinn as scheduled. Please keep hold of your tickets, we're doing our very best to reschedule the dates and will update you very soon on that. 'Thank you for understanding - you know I love you all. And I LOVE THIS SHOW! And I'll miss you next week, and I can't wait to see you all. Love Kylie xx' Kylie kicked off her sold-out UK leg of her Tension Tour at Glasgow's OVO Hydro on May 16. She was due to perform at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany on Monday June 16 before moving on to Poland, Lithuania and Estonia. The Aussie star is hoping to be back on the stage for her show at Finland's Metro Arena on June 23. During her time in the UK last month, the Can't Get You Out Of My Head hitmaker received an award while at London's O2 Arena for headlining 21 shows at the arena during the course of her career. She became the first female singer to join the venue's 21 club as she stopped off once more for her Tension Tour a couple of weeks ago. The legendary club honours acts who have played the arena 21 times or more and includes huge stars including One Direction, Drake, Michael Bublé and Take That. Celebrating her sixteenth studio album, Kylie performed her latest tour at the prestigious arena four times - bringing her total up to 24 performances at the O2 overall. The pop star had no issues filling up the 20,000 capacity arena each night. Speaking about one of her London gigs, an attendee told the Mirror: "Kylie was really emotional and fought back the tears as she addressed the crowd. It was clear the achievement meant a lot to her. She proudly showed her award off to the crowd which marked 21 shows at the O2 - becoming the first female artist to do so. Tonight was actually her 24th show at the prestigious arena. "She began crying as she shared that news to the crowd, it was a really touching moment as she reflected on her career. "Everyone in the arena supported her and had her back. It was clear she appreciated the love and support of her fans, as she always has."
