The boundary between inspiration and plagiarism remains a contentious and nuanced issue. While plagiarism scandals are nothing new in the Australian publishing world, the recent controversy involving Australian cookbook authors Nagi Maehashi and Brooke Bellamy has reignited this debate, offering a poignant case study for artists, writers, and creators across disciplines.
Maehashi, the force behind the popular RecipeTin Eats blog, publicly accused Bellamy last month of replicating her recipes for caramel slice and baklava in Bellamy’s best-selling cookbook, Bake with Brooki. Maehashi presented side-by-side comparisons, highlighting striking similarities in ingredients, measurements, and instructions.
