Retro food makes a comeback

COULD the resurgence of retro food be just a trip down memory lane?

Nationally, sales of Arctic rolls have risen by more than 40 per cent, while chicken Kievs are up by 59 per cent.

Soda Stream sales are up by 82.4 per cent, sales of quiche by 19.9 per cent and Angel Delight by 5.1 per cent.

Heston Blumenthal led the revival through his Fantastical Foods programme, and Unilever, home of the world-famous Wall's, helped him build a record-breaking one-tonne ice cream.

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Becky Treble, of Huffkins Bakery and Tea Rooms on the Promenade in Cheltenham, was not surprised at the increased demand for 1970s' taste, saying: "Everything has its turn. It's the same as platform shoes and flared trousers. Lardy cakes are quite popular here, we sell loads. Soda Stream kits make quite good presents and a lot of retro shops are coming into town."

Toby Wooldridge, co-owner of Peppers in Bull Lane, Gloucester, said: "There is a resurgence of all things retro at the moment, in music and fashion too. Perhaps the increased sales of retro foods suggests it's the whole retro package people are buying into."

Meanwhile, Neil Wildin, owner of Stanman's Kitchen in Westgate Street, Gloucester, said: "I think it is a nostalgia thing to be honest. I think it is parents dishing up what they were given by their parents."

Sue Atkinson, of Anderson's Coffee House in Cheltenham's Regent Street, was not a fan, saying: "I'm more passionate about proper English cooking and proper cooked food. We use local people and make everything fresh. I'm not sure about packet mixes like Angel Delight."

Derek Pargeter, of Dellboy's Café in the town's Bath Street, is a big fan of the retro food.

He said: "I think it's much better. You can't beat proper food like that and it's better value too. If you have pasta and rice, or something like that, in a couple of hours' time you're hungry again.

"We get asked for the old puddings, such as sticky toffee pudding and apple pie and ice cream."

John Redfearn, owner of the Crow's Nest, in Westgate Street, Gloucester, said it was down to economics.

"I think it is the fact that a lot of foods from that era are ready foods and people will find they are much cheaper," he said.