It’s not just Meghan copying recipes! Chefs including Tom Kerridge and James Martin have admitted to being heavily inspired by other cooks – with one food critics arguing there’s no such thing as an original recipe

Just hours after Meghan Markle released the trailer for her upcoming Netflix series With Love, Meghan, critics accused her of poaching recipes.

Some compared her ‘Caprese Bruschetta’ to similar recipes; others spotted a resemblance to a YouTube cooking show hosted by the Marchioness of Bath; and her beekeeping at the California estate was noted as one of sister-in-law Kate’s hobbies.

In the trailer, the Duchess hosted celebrity chefs and famous friends, including Mindy Kaling, as she prepared a range of perfectly presented dishes to The Lovin’ Spoonful’s Do You Believe in Magic.

In one clip from the kitchen of the rented Montecito mansion, Meghan, who told viewers she would share ‘some little tips and tricks’, made a ‘Ladybug’-themed appetiser.

However, upset viewers said that recipes for the dish have been around since 2015 on dozens of food blogs and Pinterest pages, the US lifestyle magazine First For Women in 2018, and the popular TikTok account Home Cooks World in 2023.

Other viewers compared scenes from the trailer to those in the YouTube cooking show, ‘Emma’s Kitchen’, hosted by marchioness and chef Emma Weymouth.

The Celebrity MasterChef contestant, formally Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, shares videos of her creations after launching the brand in 2015, using original kitchens within Longleat House as a backdrop.

But while onlookers complain that the Duchess of Sussex’s culinary ideas are not wholly original, many celebrity chefs argue it’s difficult to find one that is. 

The Duchess of Sussex’s Netflix trailer has faced backlash for ‘copying’ ideas, but a celebrity chef claimed that chefs steal recipes all the time

Take, for instance, food critic Jonathan Meades’s 2017 book, The Plagiarist in the Kitchen: A Lifetime’s Culinary Thefts, which shares 125 of his favourite recipes.

He makes no claims to have developed the methods himself; instead, he adapted the recipes and made them his own, a practice he believes most if not all chefs do.

Meades told Vice: ‘There is nothing original about any dish. I find the pretensions of chefs and the cookery book industry kind of grotesque. It’s not dangerous, no one is harmed, but it’s ludicrous and funny. They have spats about who invented a particular dish.’

Tom Kerridge thinks similarly and is not precious about his recipes, with the Michelin-starred chef previously confessing to ‘stealing’ his mum’s beef bolognese recipe, proving even the best chefs borrow a trick or two.

He said: ‘I think it’s brilliant to see so many of us share the same kitchen quirks and mishaps – whether it’s dropping food on the floor or borrowing a family recipe. Cooking should be fun, and it’s those little imperfections that make it special.

Kerridge added: ‘I’ve definitely had my fair share of disasters, and yes, I’ve been known to take credit for my mum’s beef bolognese.

Meghan with actress Mindy Kaling in the trailer for ‘With Love, Meghan’, set to release 15 January

Some viewers have compared scenes from Meghan’s trailer to those in the YouTube cooking show ‘Emma’s Kitchen’ hosted by Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath (pictured)

Social media was awash with individuals claiming that Meghan had taken inspiration from Emma Thynn 

‘It’s all about creating great food and memories with the people you love, no matter how you get there.’

Meanwhile, television chef James Martin takes a likeminded approach when discussing his recipes and their origins.

Talking on White Wine Question Time, Martin told host Kate Thornton how he ‘nicked’ a kimchi shrimp and seaweed salad recipe from Michelin-star chef Paul Ainsworth.

Discussing the dish and its ingredients, Thornton asked ‘it sounds delicious; where can I get it?’

The chef and TV host replied before laughing: ‘At his restaurant, or mine because I’ve nicked it’.

According to Martin, it’s nothing unusual, and he claimed that Ainsworth had taken one of his recipes in return, saying: ‘He’s nicked one of mine… it’s a chef’s thing’.

Ainsworth, who is the chef patron at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Padstow, lists monkey bread on his menu, with a poem explaining how he developed it.

According to Martin, it’s a ‘complete load of b******’ because ‘he nicked it from my house when I cooked it for him’.’

51-year-old celebrity chef Tom Kerridge admitted to stealing his mother’s beef Bolognese recipe 

Food critic Jonathan Meades (pictured) is under the impression that there is ‘nothing original about any dish’

And to the other chefs who say recipes come to them without outside help, James says: ‘What a load of s*** you’ve seen it on the menu and nicked it from someone else…facts, you’ve tweaked it slightly, done’.

Creatives taking inspiration is seen in many pursuits; for instance, viewers on social media claim Breaking Bad channels Shakespeare’s MacBeth, while others believe the Harry Potter franchise wouldn’t be what it was without Star Wars.

But while people look at the above similarities positively online, it’s often a different story when it comes to cooking.

For example, in 2020, Chrissy Teigen was forced to respond to a Twitter troll accusing her of plagiarising a recipe from ‘Chef Mike’.

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit alum, 39, responded by saying: ‘Please tell me who this chef Mike is? So I can speak to him? I have never stolen a recipe from anyone, and I actively talk about the restaurants I love.’

She mused about the absurdity of the accusation, writing, ‘Imagine the ego to think someone is copying you when they haven’t heard of you?’

Teigan has written various cookbooks, including 2018’s Cravings: Hungry for More: A Cookbook and Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat: A Cookbook.

Meghan Markle faces a similar storm, with online critics condemning her for unoriginal ideas.

Viewers have claimed that some of Meghan’s ideas are unoriginal, such as the ‘Ladybug Caprese Bruschetta’ (pictured)

Dozens of food blogs have posted the recipe, including Diary of a Mad Hausfrau in 2016 (pictured)

The TikTok and YouTube channel Home Cooks World posted a similar recipe video in 2023 (pictured)

However, if one thinks like James Martin, she’s following a practice as common as ever in the industry. 

Posting the trailer on her Instagram account, Meghan wrote: ‘I have been so excited to share this with you! I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it.

‘Wishing you all a fantastic new year! Thanks to our amazing crew and the team. Beyond grateful for the support – and fun!’

She signed off: ‘As ever, Meghan.’

Describing the series in an official synopsis, Netflix says: ‘In With Love, Meghan, we join Meghan in the kitchen, garden — and even at the beehive — as she prepares to host friends both old and new.

‘Sharing some of her favorite tips and tricks for cooking, gardening, crafting, and more, Meghan reveals how even the most minute details can help add beauty to our lives and, most importantly, help bring people together.

‘Whether it’s preparing take-home gifts for guests or adding a sprinkle of edible flowers to breakfast, it’s truly the thought that counts.’

Speaking in the trailer, Meghan says: ‘I’ve always loved taking something pretty ordinary and elevating it, surprising people with moments that let them know I was really thinking of them.

Celebrity chef James Martin (pictured) candidly revealed that he’s taken inspiration from other chefs and their recipes

Martin claimed that Paul Ainsworth, chef patron at Michelin star restaurant No. 6 in  Padstow, has ‘nicked’ one of of his recipes before

‘I’m going to share some little tips and tricks and how you incorporate these practices every day.

‘This is about connecting with friends… We’re not in the pursuit of perfection we’re in the pursuit of joy.’

The Duchess is known to have many star-studded friends; one of whom is The Office writer Mindy Kaling.

Appearing in a snippet in the trailer, Kaling, who is being served up a piece of Victoria Sponge cake, says: ‘What! This is probably one of the most glamorous moments of my life.’

Elsewhere, Meghan speaks about ‘making new friends’ and learning new skills – such as beekeeping.

In each episode, Meghan invites friends old and new to roll up their sleeves and join her in the kitchen, or garden, as they share candid conversations and top tips.

As well as Mindy – who previously appeared on the Duchess’s podcast Archetypes – Prince Harry and chefs Roy Choi and Alice Waters also make appearances.

Meghan also welcomes some of her closest friends, from Suits co-star Abigail Spencer to her ‘sister’ and ‘fellow polo wife’, Delfina Blaquier, wife to the Duke of Sussex’s pal Nacho Figueras.

Professional polo player Nacho was the first of the Figueras family to feature in a Netflix series from the Sussexes, after starring in Netflix’s Harry & Meghan, as well as the Duke’s Polo show.

Meghan’s make-up artist Daniel Martin, who is often described as the mother-of-two’s best friend, also featured in the trailer for the Duchess’ new programme.

Daniel is believed to have known Meghan for over a decade, having met her while the former actress worked on Suits.

The pair then kept in touch and while working on her former blog The Tig, Meghan asked Daniel to give her a helping hand.

He has remained in contact with the Duchess throughout her life in the royal family and was by Meghan’s side on her wedding day as he perfected her make-up.

The series also features celebrated literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and Harry and Meghan’s multi-millionaire neighbour Vicky Tsai, who sold her beauty brand Tatcha to Unilever in 2019 for a reported $500million.

They’re joined on the show by Tracy Robbins. Mrs Robbins and her husband Paramount boss Brian Robbins are friends with the Sussexes and invited them to the Bob Marley film premiere in Jamaica in January.

Meghan’s best friend Kelly McKee Zajfen, co-founder of Alliance of Moms, is also included on the guestlist for the series.