Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has never shied away from bold ventures, but her latest project, the Netflix series With Love, Meghan, has stirred a storm of controversy. Billed as an intimate look into her Montecito lifestyle, the eight-episode show promises cooking, gardening, and hosting tips with a touch of “playfulness over perfection.” However, critics and netizens have branded it a “total joke,” seizing on alleged culinary blunders to argue that Meghan lacks the skills to helm a cooking show. From viral clips of questionable dishes to accusations of unoriginality, the backlash has been relentless. But is the criticism fair, or is it another chapter in the ongoing scrutiny of Meghan’s every move? Let’s dive into the evidence fueling the claim that she “can’t cook.”

The Premise of With Love, Meghan

Launched in January 2025, With Love, Meghan features Meghan in a $5 million rented Montecito mansion, sharing recipes and lifestyle hacks alongside celebrity guests like Mindy Kaling, Abigail Spencer, and chef Roy Choi. The show, produced by Meghan and Prince Harry’s Archewell Productions, aims to showcase her love for cooking, which she’s highlighted in past projects like the 2018 Together: Our Community Cookbook for the Grenfell Tower fire victims. Filmed in a lush kitchen with a $10,000 copper range and marble island, the series promises accessible yet aspirational content, from “Ladybug Caprese Bruschetta” to a one-pot skillet spaghetti.

Meghan’s stated goal was to inspire viewers to “create moments of joy” through food and hospitality. In a promotional interview with Variety, she described the show as a reflection of her “normal” life, citing traditions like baking green waffles for St. Patrick’s Day with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. However, the polished production and high-end setting have drawn skepticism, with critics arguing that her culinary expertise doesn’t match the show’s glossy veneer.

The Viral “Disasters”: What Went Wrong?

The loudest critiques center on specific recipes and moments that have gone viral for their perceived flaws. Social media, particularly X, has been brutal, with users dissecting Meghan’s dishes as evidence of her culinary shortcomings. Here are the key moments fueling the “she can’t cook” narrative:

The “Ladybug Caprese Bruschetta” Debacle: In episode two, Meghan presents a starter of cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls arranged to resemble ladybugs, complete with olive “spots” and basil leaves. While intended as a cute, kid-friendly dish, critics called it “tacky” and “amateurish.” X user @unreMARKLEble posted a clip with the caption, “This is what happens when you think Pinterest is a personality,” noting that similar recipes have circulated online since 2015. Others, like @paulamatanovich, dubbed it “something a toddler would make,” arguing it lacked sophistication for a Netflix production.

Skillet Spaghetti Backlash: Meghan’s one-pot spaghetti, cooked with zucchini and parmesan in a single skillet, was meant to showcase simplicity. However, a viral clip showed unevenly cooked pasta and a watery sauce, prompting ridicule. @HGTudorKTN tweeted, “Meghan’s spaghetti looks like it was cooked in a washing machine. Disaster!” Critics on Reddit’s r/CelebitchyUnderground thread called it “slop,” with one user joking, “I wouldn’t feed that to my dog.” While This Morning recreated the recipe in February 2025 to test its viability, host Dermot O’Leary diplomatically noted it “needed tweaking,” further fueling the narrative of Meghan’s culinary incompetence.

Chicken Casserole Controversy: A roasted chicken casserole with root vegetables was another flashpoint, with viewers slamming its presentation. A clip shared by @dra_gaby_luna on X showed a dish that appeared overcooked and unappetizing, captioned, “This is Meghan’s idea of gourmet? Yikes.” The hashtag #MeghanCantCook trended briefly, with users comparing the casserole to “prison food” and questioning her ability to execute basic recipes.

Presentation and Style Critique: Beyond specific dishes, Meghan’s on-screen delivery has drawn fire. Critics like @QueenRMade1 on X mocked her “breathy” tone and “vocal fry,” claiming she seemed “inauthentic” while demonstrating tasks like folding napkins or arranging fruit platters with edible flowers. A YouTube review by commentator Kinsey Schofield called the show “cringe-inducing,” arguing that Meghan’s tips, such as dunking towels in lavender oil for guests, felt “forced” and disconnected from everyday life.

These moments, amplified by memes and viral clips, have cemented the perception that With Love, Meghan is more style than substance. The show’s 3.8/10 rating on IMDb, based on user reviews, reflects this sentiment, with comments labeling it “a vanity project” and “proof Meghan’s no chef.”

Accusations of Unoriginality

Another layer of criticism is the claim that Meghan’s show lacks originality, borrowing heavily from existing content. The “Ladybug Bruschetta” was likened to recipes on Pinterest and TikTok, while her beekeeping segment drew comparisons to the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, who has tended hives at Anmer Hall since 2023. Scenes were also compared to Emma’s Kitchen, a YouTube series by Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, with Reddit users noting similarities in aesthetic and tone. “Meghan’s just repackaging other people’s ideas,” wrote one user on r/SaintMeghanMarkle, a subreddit known for critiquing the Duchess.

Royal commentator Angela Levin, a frequent critic, echoed this on GB News in February 2025, claiming Meghan “mimics” others to appear relatable. Levin pointed to Kate’s well-documented baking, like her birthday cakes for her children, as a contrast, arguing, “Kate’s cooking feels genuine, while Meghan’s is a performance.” These accusations, while speculative, have fueled the narrative that Meghan’s show is derivative, undermining her credibility as a culinary authority.

The Other Side: Defending Meghan’s Efforts

Despite the backlash, Meghan has her defenders, who argue the criticism is overblown and rooted in bias. On X, @GlowanneLee praised her skillet spaghetti, noting, “It’s simple and family-friendly, exactly what she promised.” Others highlighted the show’s positive moments, like Meghan’s chemistry with Roy Choi, who taught her a Korean-inspired taco recipe, or her heartfelt discussion of the Grenfell cookbook, which raised £557,638 for charity. A Newsweek article from January 2025 quoted a source close to Meghan saying, “She’s not claiming to be a Michelin-star chef. The show is about sharing love through food, not perfection.”

Supporters also point out the double standard in how Meghan is judged compared to other royals. Kate’s cooking moments, like her 2023 pancake-flipping flop in Slough, were celebrated as “relatable,” with Woman & Home calling her “charmingly human.” Meghan’s missteps, however, are framed as catastrophic, with tabloids like Daily Express labeling her show a “flop.” @Sussexsquad2023 tweeted, “Kate burns a pancake, and it’s cute. Meghan tries a new recipe, and it’s a disaster? The hypocrisy is loud.”

The scrutiny also reflects Meghan’s broader challenges as a non-working royal. Unlike Kate, whose domesticity is seen as part of her royal duty, Meghan’s ventures are commercial, inviting accusations of inauthenticity. Yet, her defenders argue that her willingness to take risks—launching a lifestyle brand and Netflix series—deserves credit, even if the execution isn’t flawless.

The Bigger Picture: Scrutiny and Bias

The “Meghan can’t cook” narrative is less about her culinary skills and more about her polarizing public image. Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, she and Harry have faced relentless criticism—from their Netflix documentary to Harry’s memoir Spare. The cooking show, meant to showcase a softer side, has instead become a lightning rod, with every recipe and gesture dissected. A 2023 Geo.tv article noted that Meghan’s attempts to appear “normal,” like baking with her kids, are often met with skepticism, unlike Kate’s similar efforts, which are embraced.

This bias is evident on social media, where hashtags like #MeghanCantCook coexist with posts praising her ambition. The polarized reactions mirror the broader royal rift, with Meghan cast as the outsider and Kate as the ideal. Critics like those on r/CelebitchyUnderground argue she’s “trying too hard,” while supporters see her as a trailblazer navigating a hostile media landscape.

Conclusion

With Love, Meghan has become a flashpoint for critics who claim Meghan Markle “can’t cook,” pointing to viral clips of her “Ladybug Bruschetta,” watery spaghetti, and unappetizing casserole as proof. Accusations of unoriginality and inauthenticity have further fueled the narrative that her Netflix series is a “joke.” Yet, the criticism often feels disproportionate, rooted in the same biases that have shadowed her since 2020. While Meghan’s culinary skills may not rival professional chefs, her show’s aim—sharing joy through food—resonates with fans who see her as relatable and bold. In a world quick to mock her every move, Meghan’s willingness to step into the kitchen, flaws and all, is a recipe for resilience, even if it’s not to everyone’s taste.