UK snackers are begging for manufacturers to reinvigorate a James Bond-approved condiment, lamenting that ‘life will not be the same without it’ following its quiet cancellation.
Unfortunately us Brits have seen far too many supermarket staples come and go over the years, with Tyrells vegetable crisps, the KitKat Vegan, and Smith's Tomato Snaps recently being put on the chopping block.
You may hope that one day, your favourite discontinued McDonald’s item will return, just like Diet Cherry Coke did earlier this year, following a brutal eight-year hiatus, and Pepsi Max Tropical, which was last sold in 1994.
If you’re a savoury devotee, then you may have spent the last week mourning the loss of The Gentleman’s Relish: a store cupboard hero beloved by the likes of Nigella Lawson and American author Jessica Mitford.
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The spiced spread, invented in the 1800s, is said to be made up of 60 percent crushed anchovies, which gave it its salty, bitter taste.
Despite the cult 200-year tradition of serving it after dessert and before coffee, and famously referenced in 007’s For Your Eyes Only, former manufacturers of The Gentleman’s Relish confirmed that the item had been quietly axed earlier this year.
Speaking about the product, officially referred to as Patum Peperium, AB World Foods confirmed: “While we recognise that this Victorian relish has a niche and loyal following, it sadly does not have wider commercial appeal and, despite our best efforts, retailer distribution has dwindled.
“With Gentleman’s Relish no longer commercially viable and unable to secure a buyer for the brand, we regrettably stopped production earlier this year,” the company added, according to The Spectator.
Following news that the fishy condiment was now akin to an endangered species, fans have launched a petition to bring it back.
Matthew Steeples, a journalist and podcaster who has appeared on Talk TV, has gathered almost 600 verified signatures after asking Gentleman’s Relish consumers for support.
“The decision to stop producing The Gentleman's Relish® affects not just those of us that love it, but the cultural tapestry of British cuisine. This savoury spread, with its rich legacy dating back nearly two centuries, deserves to continue gracing our tables,” he wrote via the Change.org petition.
“As consumers, we have cherished this delightful delicacy and the eradication of it diminishes the diversity of gastronomy.”
Steeples has called on AB World Foods to ‘reconsider’ its decision to axe the relish and that they, at the very least, sell the brand to another food company or individual ‘willing to continue its production’.
“Such actions can honour the loyal customer base and ensure the continuity of The Gentleman's Relish's cherished place in our food history,” the petition founder reasoned.
Various supporters have left comments on the petition, with one writing: “It has the same place in my heart as MNarmite. Double the price, rebrand, market, let the Marmite execs run with it but don't just discontinue!!”
Another penned: “I've been searching for Gentleman's Relish and feared it had been discontinued. Life will not be the same with out it - please save!”
“Nooooooooo!!!!!! I didn't even get a chance to get one last pot. Another piece of my childhood gone. Please bring it back!,” reported someone else.
A fourth said: “My wife bought me a ceramic pot of GR in 1978 as a present. I'd never tasted anything like it before. I have been buying it regularly since then and I was devastated to find that it had been discontinued.
“I'm in my mid seventies now and I just hope that a decision will be made to continue producing GR while I am still around to enjoy it.”
You can sign The Gentleman’s Relish petition here.
FOODbible has contacted AB World Foods for comment.
Ella Scott