Binky Felstead, known for her time on the reality showMade in Chelseaand a carefully curated online life with her family, is facing a growing wave of criticism. The issue? A dispute over birthday cake, and accusations of seeking free goods in exchange for social media promotion.
The controversy ignited when London baker Reshmi Bennett, owner of the luxury cake business Anges de Sucre, publicly shared a series of messages. They revealed a request from Binky’s team for a custom-made train cake for her son’s third birthday, with “exposure” on Instagram offered as the sole form of payment.
Bennett, understandably frustrated, expressed her dismay at the proposition. She articulated a growing sentiment within the baking community – a weariness of influencers expecting elaborate creations for nothing more than a social media mention. The request felt particularly jarring given Binky’s estimated net worth of £2-3 million.
The initial request detailed a specific cake: a yellow train design for ten people. When Bennett inquired about a budget, the response shifted to a “collaboration,” offering a story on Binky’s Instagram in lieu of payment. Bennett, feeling “hopping mad,” countered that a fair transaction would restore faith in an industry plagued by those seeking freebies.
The situation escalated as Bennett received no further response from Binky’s team, despite assurances that the matter would be discussed. This silence fueled the baker’s decision to go public, hoping to shed light on a problematic pattern of behavior.
Bennett’s post resonated deeply, prompting other bakers to come forward with similar stories. One baker, from Funfetti London, recounted a similar experience involving a request for both a wedding cake and a birthday cake, ultimately receiving only a promise of social media coverage that never materialized.
The Funfetti London owner described being initially flattered by the attention, but quickly realizing she was being asked to provide a significant amount of work for minimal return. She ultimately built the wedding cake in Binky’s kitchen, only to be met with silence after the event.
The unfolding drama has sparked a wider conversation about the value of “exposure” as a form of payment, and the responsibility of influencers to support small businesses. Many are questioning the optics of a wealthy personality requesting free services from independent creators.
Despite the mounting criticism, Binky Felstead has remained largely silent, continuing to post about a family trip to New York. This silence has only intensified the backlash, with social media users questioning how she can afford an expensive vacation but not a birthday cake.
Reshmi Bennett, however, has extended an olive branch, stating it’s “not too late” for Binky to simply pay for the cake and resolve the situation. The offer stands as a plea for fairness and a recognition of the value of skilled craftsmanship.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the often-unseen dynamics between influencers and the businesses they collaborate with, and the importance of equitable exchange in a digital age.
