Meghan Markle Faces Backlash Over Alleged Recipe Copying in Her New Netflix Cooking Show Filmed in Montecito

Meghan Markle’s new Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, has sparked some attention after the Duchess of Sussex cooked up a simple “single skillet spaghetti” dish in the first episode.

The pasta, made with kale, lemon, tomatoes, and parmesan, quickly drew comparisons to a recipe from celebrated British chef Anna Jones.

The dish, which Meghan prepared for her friend Daniel Martin, was hailed as a favorite in the Sussex household in Montecito, with Daniel even exclaiming, “so f***ing good” after tasting it.

However, food critics and eagle-eyed viewers noticed some striking similarities between Meghan’s creation and a recipe from Anna Jones’ 2015 cookbook, A Modern Way to Cook.

The Recipe Controversy

Meghan’s recipe, while it includes slight variations such as adding chili flakes and a basil leaf, closely mirrors Anna Jones’ “kale, tomato, and lemon magic one-pot spaghetti” from nearly a decade ago.

Jones’ version, also a one-pan pasta, shares key elements like pasta, kale, lemon zest, and boiling water cooked together in a single pan.

Though Meghan’s version does differ slightly, critics have questioned whether proper credit was given for the recipe inspiration.

Xanthe Clay, a food critic for The Daily Telegraph, noted that Meghan’s dish seemed “very similar” to Anna’s recipe, despite some subtle differences.

Clay added that while there may not be legal ramifications for such similarities, it is important for chefs to acknowledge their sources.

“Cookery writer etiquette demands that you acknowledge your sources,” Clay said, suggesting a simple line of gratitude would have sufficed.

Anna Jones’ Rise to Fame

Anna Jones, known for her focus on sustainable, vegetarian cooking, has long been recognized for her innovative, no-waste recipes.

She gained fame through her work at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen and went on to release several successful cookbooks, including One: Pot, Pan, Planet.

Her 2015 recipe, which Meghan’s dish resembles, was even praised by British chefs like Jamie Oliver and Nigel Slater, with some calling her the “new Nigella Lawson.”

Jones’ cookbook also emphasizes eco-friendly cooking practices, making her a notable figure in the sustainable food movement.

In her recipe, the pasta is cooked with tomatoes, lemon zest, and boiling water, followed by a simple simmering process to create a flavorful dish.

The Duchess’ Cooking Show Under Scrutiny

Since the release of With Love, Meghan, viewers have been quick to point out other instances where Meghan’s dishes seem to closely resemble existing recipes.

For example, her “Ladybug Caprese Bruschetta” was compared to several similar dishes found online, and some viewers noted the resemblance between her beekeeping hobby and that of other royal figures like Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla.

Criticism from Viewers and Food Critics

The reception of Meghan’s show has been mixed, with some viewers calling out what they perceive as a lack of originality.

Comparisons to other cooking shows, particularly one hosted by the Marchioness of Bath, Emma Weymouth, have also surfaced.

Some viewers pointed out similarities in both the presentation style and the types of dishes being prepared.

Despite the criticisms, some fans have defended Meghan’s cooking, suggesting that these types of recipes are widely popular and are often recreated by home cooks and chefs alike.

However, the issue of proper acknowledgment of others’ work remains a key point of contention.

Meghan’s Cooking and Its Connection to Sustainability

Throughout the series, Meghan talks about the joy of being a “present parent” and shares simple cooking tips and tricks, such as making a rainbow fruit salad.

However, this seemingly harmless gesture also attracted attention after viewers pointed out that the layout of the fruit salad was strikingly similar to one shared by food blogger Meg Quinn just a year earlier.

Though it may seem trivial, these incidents highlight the ongoing conversation around originality, inspiration, and credit in the culinary world.

Whether or not Meghan intended to replicate these recipes, the backlash points to the broader issue of how public figures handle creative content and the importance of giving credit where it’s due.

Final Thoughts on Meghan’s Culinary Adventure

As Meghan continues to share snippets of her life through her new Netflix series, it’s clear that both praise and criticism will follow.

While the Duchess’ cooking may not be entirely original, it has sparked a larger conversation about creativity, acknowledgment, and the responsibilities of public figures when it comes to the work of others.

For now, fans and critics alike are left to ponder whether these culinary moments are a reflection of Meghan’s true self or simply another chapter in her ongoing journey to carve out her own narrative in the public eye.