Binky Felstead, the Made in Chelsea star, has been called out by a bakery owner who claims she was ghosted after making Binky’s wedding and birthday cakes for free, despite the reality star initially agreeing to promote the cakes in exchange for social media exposure. This incident follows another accusation from bakery owner Reshmi Bennett, who revealed that she, too, was asked to provide a bespoke cake for free in exchange for social media posts.
A ‘Free Cake’ Controversy
The latest bakery owner to speak out is the owner of Funfetti London, who shared her own experience with Binky in a lengthy Instagram post. In 2021, the baker claims Binky contacted her on Instagram, praising her cakes and asking for both a wedding cake and a birthday cake for her daughter in exchange for Instagram exposure. The baker, who was just starting her cake business at the time, was flattered and agreed, thinking it would be a good opportunity to grow her business.
However, things took a turn when Binky allegedly refused to pay for the travel costs to deliver the cakes. The baker requested £25 for the birthday cake and £50 for the wedding cake to cover travel expenses, but Binky responded, “I usually charge £2k for a story and £5k for a grid post… so I’d really want everything inclusive.” Despite this, the baker went ahead and made the cakes, delivering them to Binky’s home and even assembling the wedding cake in her kitchen.
Ghosted and Left Without Payment
After delivering the cakes, the baker claims Binky promised to tag her on Instagram and even mentioned a feature in Hello! Magazine. However, after several months of trying to follow up, the baker received no response from Binky or her team. The baker explained, “I followed up in July… nothing. Again in October… nothing.” When she finally received a reply, Binky’s team said they would post about the cakes and asked the baker to send an invoice, but no payment followed. The baker expressed her frustration, saying, “I just cringe whenever I hear her name now. Exposure doesn’t pay bills. Ever.”
A Shared Experience with Reshmi Bennett
This isn’t the first time Binky has been accused of requesting free cakes from bakery owners. Earlier this week, Reshmi Bennett, the owner of Anges de Sucre, also called out Binky’s team for asking her to make a birthday cake for Binky’s son Wilder in exchange for an Instagram post. Reshmi shared screenshots of the conversation on social media, revealing how Binky’s team had offered “exposure” as payment. Reshmi sarcastically created a GoFundMe page asking for £1.4 million to cover the cost of the cake, referencing Binky’s significant online following.
Binky’s representatives later responded, calling the request a “standard contra enquiry” and apologizing for any offense caused. They explained that this type of collaboration, where services are exchanged for social media promotion, is common in the industry. However, they also acknowledged that Reshmi had a valid point about the optics of the situation.
Public Reaction and the Issue of ‘Exposure’ as Payment
The ongoing controversy highlights a wider issue in the influencer culture, where businesses are often asked to provide products or services in exchange for social media exposure. While some businesses may find these collaborations beneficial, others, like Reshmi and the Funfetti London owner, feel that “exposure” doesn’t help cover their operational costs. Both bakers have made it clear that they no longer accept exposure as payment, especially when the influencer or celebrity is already well-established and profiting from their public image.
The situation has sparked an outpouring of support for both bakery owners, with many social media users agreeing that businesses should be paid for their work rather than being promised vague benefits like Instagram posts or magazine mentions. For many small business owners, especially those in industries like cake-making, paying for the ingredients, labor, and travel costs is essential for maintaining their livelihoods.
Binky’s Response
Binky has yet to respond directly to these latest accusations, but her team did comment on the controversy, stating that their request for a gifted cake was a common practice in the industry. They also noted that Binky’s Instagram is heavily focused on her children, and that her posts generate significant engagement, which could provide valuable exposure for businesses.
While Binky’s team maintains that they never intended to take advantage of the bakers, it’s clear that this situation has caused significant friction, both for the businesses involved and the public’s perception of influencer marketing practices.
Conclusion
As the debate over the fairness of influencer “exposure” as payment continues, Binky Felstead’s involvement in these incidents serves as a reminder of the complexities that arise when businesses are asked to provide free products or services in exchange for social media posts. For now, the controversy has cast a shadow over Binky’s reputation, and it remains to be seen whether she will address the situation further or change her approach to business collaborations in the future.
