What I found "odd" was that an Iraqi author was the first to translate the manuscript and publish the English version - https://www.amazon.com/Delectable-Foods-Dishes-al-Andalus-al... - and yet, while they make a one line mention of this, the whole article is about a British cook and author, and his book.
They don't really hide that fact. There's a limit to how in depth the knowledge of any history journalist can be on their own, and experts on an issue are going to want payment for their time.
Actual payment costs money, it's much easier to pay them in publicity by discussing a topic they released a book on or area they work at.