I've been burned before by this. A friend who likes to bake asked for a couple of recipes of stuff that I sold. I gave them to her not thinking anything of it. Before this she used to send a lot of business my way. She stopped and I found out she started selling people my recipes. I figured oh well. Then one day I asked her for her chocolate icing recipe and she told me it was a "family recipe" and she wouldn't share it. Wow!

I grew up always believing the best in people, but the older I get, the more I see and the more experience I gain.....well, I'm just not quite as trusting and naive as I once was, hence the reason for my advice (give her an alternate recipe).

I know for years, my mother's cousin's hubby (who was a fantastic cook) always gave out his recipes after much pleading and begging on the inquirer's side if they asked for more than a year!! And he always left something out. It would drive my grandmother and mother crazy. And 90% of the time his wife, my mom's cousin, couldn't even say what it was. He was always so secretive with all his recipes. Even when his daughters grew up and married - the eldest to a chef - he pulled the same thing with him early on and it eventually became holiday throwdowns at their gatherings!! lol At least that was mostly in fun.

I'vhad a few people ask for my recipes, and I give them gladly. Some people just are more crafty and like to play around. But, to be honest, they usually come back saying - "mine didn't turn out as well as yours." And, they discover how much work it takes to make a beautiful cake. So, they have fun, and come back to me when they need the job done right. Everyone is happy!

And, about the "friend" who was selling recipes - not much of a friend, was she? I'm always ashamed of the way some people behave.