If the world thought Meghan Markle was simply an actress-turned-Duchess-turned-podcast host, it seems there’s more to her story — or at least a side hustle that’s caught everyone off guard. Markle’s recent foray into the American-inspired *Riviera Orchard* brand has spiraled into an unexpected sequence of missteps, creating a drama more intense than her days on *Suits*. Markle, the entrepreneur, the influencer, and now, apparently, the culinary “innovator,” has launched a lifestyle venture. While it’s packed with all the trendy vibes you’d expect, it seems to be lacking something crucial: a clear direction and a solid leadership figure.
The *Riviera Orchard* brand, reportedly struggling to find a willing CEO, has been rolling out its content without a clear leader. Judging by a series of hastily-produced Instagram videos, the brand seems more like a collection of Pinterest boards than a well-defined business. However, the most curious twist in this culinary tale involves an alleged cookbook project. Rumor has it that Markle’s anticipated Netflix show — which still lacks a release date — was meant to feature some of her “signature” recipes, dishes she claims as her own creations.
The issue? Canadian chef Cory Vitiello, a former romantic interest of Markle, appears skeptical. His seemingly innocent observation that he’d “seen that lemon cake recipe before” has raised questions about the authenticity of Markle’s culinary claims. Vitiello has reportedly issued a warning, suggesting he might take legal action if his recipes make an appearance in her show without proper credit. This isn’t the first time his dishes have been at the center of controversy, either. Some recall Markle previously passing off Vitiello’s chicken recipe as her own after he prepared it for a shared meal, leading him to start guarding his culinary secrets closely.
This history of potentially borrowed recipes might even explain why the cooking show’s release has been delayed, with whispers of copyright concerns swirling. Markle insists with confidence that every recipe is uniquely hers — as though the world is eagerly awaiting her cookbook debut. One can almost imagine her in the kitchen, adding a sprinkle of this or a dash of that and declaring each dish as her own original creation. But Netflix, not wanting to risk a recipe plagiarism scandal, is reportedly cautious. After all, if even one dish too closely resembles a former partner’s creation, trouble could be on the horizon. The last thing they need is disgruntled chefs stepping forward with their own ingredient lists.
Professional chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Mary Berry often draw inspiration from others, but they do so with a personal twist — and, importantly, with credit where it’s due. Yet in this messy culinary drama, Markle’s team seems to have overlooked this fine art, skipping the recognition that could have kept things amicable. A little nod to another chef’s efforts might have avoided this whole fiasco, but here we are, left to wonder if the rumored lemon recipe book is heading for a sour ending.
Behind closed doors, the Netflix team is reportedly more than a bit anxious about potential backlash if a single recipe seems too close to someone else’s work without acknowledgment. Markle’s “unique” culinary vision could crumble faster than a homemade pie crust, and Netflix isn’t eager to see this spin-off series — or whatever it ultimately becomes — turn into a legal quagmire, or worse, a public joke.
So, with all these controversies stirring the pot, what’s the takeaway? It seems Markle may have missed a key ingredient in the recipe for business success: humility. A pinch of grace, a dash of credit-giving, and a sprinkle of transparency might have saved her from the proverbial kitchen fire. But, as with many of Markle’s ventures, her confidence in knowing best sometimes falls short. Whether Vitiello will comment or remain in a chef-like, polite silence remains to be seen.
