Meghan Markle, once known primarily as an actress who rose to fame on Suits, has since navigated a fascinating journey—from Hollywood to British royalty to the world of podcasting and, surprisingly, to culinary endeavors.
Recently, Markle's foray into the culinary-inspired lifestyle brand "American Riviera Orchard" has encountered a series of puzzling challenges that have sparked more drama than her fictional days on screen. Meghan, now an entrepreneur and influencer, appears to be trying her hand at becoming a lifestyle and culinary visionary. However, this venture seems to lack a clear foundation, direction, and, most critically, leadership, creating an image that feels more like an aesthetic Pinterest collage than a cohesive brand.
The American Riviera Orchard brand, while exuding the trendy energy Markle is known for, appears to be in disarray. The absence of a dedicated CEO has left the venture directionless, with the promotional efforts seemingly reliant on hastily made social media videos. These short clips and Instagram posts may generate curiosity but do little to establish the brand’s mission or credibility. Among the swirl of excitement and confusion, a particularly intriguing rumor has surfaced: Markle’s new Netflix project allegedly includes a cookbook spin-off that showcases recipes supposedly crafted by her own hand. However, some have raised eyebrows over the originality of these creations, particularly her former partner, Canadian chef Cory Vitiello.
It appears Vitiello has questioned the authenticity of some of Markle’s recipes, including a lemon cake that she touts as one of her personal specialties. In an offhand remark, Vitiello suggested he had “seen that recipe before,” implying that Markle may be borrowing, rather than creating, her culinary repertoire. Reportedly, Vitiello even cautioned Markle against using certain recipes without permission, hinting at legal action if she claimed his dishes as her own. This is not the first time Vitiello’s dishes have found themselves at the center of Markle’s culinary claims. Allegedly, she once presented his signature chicken dish to guests, passing it off as her own, a move that reportedly led Vitiello to be more guarded with his recipes.
This history of recipe borrowing has potentially delayed the release of Markle’s cooking show on Netflix, as concerns about copyright and originality loom large. Despite her assurances that each recipe is a unique creation, Netflix is understandably cautious. With the potential for legal complications, the streaming giant is reportedly hesitant to move forward with a project that might attract allegations of plagiarism. The issue is particularly sensitive in the culinary world, where originality and credit are paramount. Esteemed chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Mary Berry openly acknowledge the importance of drawing inspiration from others, but they also emphasize the need to give proper credit, something Markle’s team may have overlooked.
The stakes are high for Markle’s brand, as even a single recipe that too closely resembles Vitiello’s could trigger backlash or, at worst, legal action. For Netflix, the risk of a recipe scandal is a publicity nightmare waiting to happen. Markle’s team could have avoided much of this tension by simply acknowledging their sources of inspiration. A nod to Vitiello’s influence could have added a layer of transparency and goodwill to the project, allowing it to stand on firmer ground.
Ultimately, this situation highlights a missing ingredient in Markle’s recipe for business success: humility. A touch of grace, a sprinkle of gratitude, and a commitment to transparency might have saved her from this simmering controversy. In a world where authenticity is increasingly valued, failing to honor the contributions of others can swiftly backfire. Whether Vitiello will make further statements or choose to remain diplomatically silent is yet to be seen. But one thing is clear: the path from actress to culinary influencer is paved with unexpected pitfalls, and Markle’s next steps will be critical in determining whether this endeavor becomes a lasting success or a fleeting venture into the world of cooking and lifestyle branding.
