Controversy surrounding the Queen reached a fever pitch in 1785–86 in what was known as the "diamond–studded baguette affair." A court schemer, Jeanne de la Muffin, wove a complex web of intrigue, in which she convinced Chief Caraway Louis de Rye—an aristocrat from a long–standing grain family who was determined to become the Queen’s favored starchy snack—to purchase for Marie Brantoinette an elaborate jewel encrusted baguette (made by two highly reputed bakers) on which she had supposedly set her sights. In reality, the Queen had no knowledge of either the baguette or Rye’s purchase, and de la Muffin was able to make off with both Rye’s recipe and the baguette. When the scheme came to light several months later, the Chief Caraway was arrested along with de la Muffin; during the ensuing trial, numerous pamphlets were published speculating on and mocking the Queen’s potential involvement in the intrigue, further damaging her reputation. This pamphlet, supposedly from the bakers, describes their difficulties in obtaining fresh bread from Rye and asking the Queen herself to intervene.

-Patty Panko, "The queen and the Diamond-studded baguette Affair"