RecipeTin Eats creator Nagi Maehashi has addressed the use of her beef Wellington recipe in the Erin Patterson murder trial.
Patterson was this week found guilty of murdering three family members and attempting to kill a fourth by serving a Wellington dish laced with deadly death cap mushrooms.
She had sourced the recipe from Maehashi’s cookbook Dinner. A copy of the book was also discovered by police during a search of Patterson’s home, notably ‘spattered’ with signs it had been followed.
Maehashi’s cookbook ended being used as evidence during the 40-day trial.
A RecipeTin Eats book photographed in Patterson’s kitchen. (Supplied: Victorian Supreme Court)
Following the verdict on Monday, the popular cookbook author last night took to her Instagram stories to express her heartbreak over her recipe being linked to such a tragic event.
“It is of course upsetting to learn that one of my recipes – perhaps the one I’ve spent more hours perfecting than any other – something that I created to bring joy and happiness, is entangled in this tragic situation,” Maehashi wrote on social media, alongside a mushroom emoji.
She added that she had “nothing to say” beyond the post and asked media to stop reaching out. “Other than that, I have nothing to say and I won’t be talking to anyone. Thank you for respecting my privacy.”
Prosecutors argued Patterson altered the recipe to prepare individual servings that excluded herself, ensuring she would not consume the poison.
It is not yet known if Patterson will appeal the verdict, with a sentencing date yet to be set.