- Back Market and Plates London to ‘refurbish’ some of UK’s most nostalgic and iconic dishes, with a contemporary twist
- Angel Delight cocktails, fruit salad jelly and ice cream, arctic roll and lasagne amongst dishes reimagined, inspired by the nation’s childhood favourites
- Exclusive Refurbished Restaurant to open to the public this September
29 August 2024 — Have you ever found yourself secretly craving a spoonful of Angel Delight or reminiscing about childhood treats? Research from the leading marketplace for refurbished devices, Back Market reveals you’re not alone. In fact, 70 percent of Brits have fond memories of nostalgic foods they no longer eat.
To breathe life back into these old favourites, Back Market has teamed up with Kirk Haworth, renowned plant-based sustainable chef of London’s hottest newly opened restaurant, Plates London, to launch an exclusive one-day-only ‘Refurbished Restaurant’. The Great British Menu winner has reimagined six bespoke dishes, made using Back Market’s refurbished equipment and inspired by the most nostalgic foods as voted for by 2,000 Brits.
The much-loved retro dessert, Angel Delight (36 percent) topped the list as the most nostalgic, closely followed by jelly and ice cream (30 percent), Mr Whippy ice cream (30 percent), fish and chips from the local chippy (29 percent), fish fingers (28 percent), dippy egg and soldiers (27 percent) and Salt & Shake crisps (27 percent.) Arctic Roll (25 percent) and custard (25 percent) also scored highly on the nostalgia scale.
The research found that four in ten (44 percent) say that taste is the most nostalgic of all the senses, and that food has a unique ability to evoke childhood nostalgia, with a staggering 95 percent of Brits agreeing that certain foods can instantly transport them back in time. In fact, 7 in 10 (70 percent) agree that eating such foods triggers more nostalgia than looking through old photos.
Kirk Haworth, Chef and co-founder at Plates London, comments: “As a chef, I’m always inspired by the stories that food can tell, and the nostalgia we feel around our favourite childhood meals is incredibly powerful. For the Refurbished Restaurant, we’re reviving these classic dishes using sustainable, plant-based ingredients and Back Market’s refurbished kitchen equipment to reimagine these dishes and breathe new life into them! It’s all about honouring the past while embracing a more sustainable future – and making it fun and delicious along the way.
From creating a homage to the classic flavours of Angel Delight to reinventing fish fingers, we’re recreating these iconic meals with a fresh perspective that highlights the importance of both circularity and flavour – in the kitchen and beyond.”
What’s on the menu?
- Salt & Shake House Crisps canapé – House crisps, add your own seasoning!
- Fruit salad, jelly and ‘ice cream’ – made with strawberries and tomatoes with ‘ricotta’ ice cream, raspberry jelly and basil
- Zero fish finger sandwich – shredded oyster mushrooms, mushroom shoyu, salt and pepper on a brioche bun with sriracha mayo
- Lasagna & Garlic Bread with season garnish – rich mung and urad bean lasagne with the finest layers of charcoal pasta and a rich bechamel sauce, with the most garlicky bread to accompany
- Angel Delight cocktail pre-dessert – a classic dessert reinvented as a pre-dessert palate cleanser
- Arctic roll with custard – almond ice cream, strawberry jam, a layer of rice pudding, wrapped up with sponge and served with meadowsweet custard
Back Market and Plates London’s partnership was born based on the idea that food waste reduction has been on an incredible journey in recent years, with major players in the culinary space championing waste reduction and a notable shift in consumer attitudes. Back Market aims to take the nation on the same educational pathway for tech consumption, informing consumers of e-waste’s detrimental impacts on the environment and championing the use of refurbished technology in the home.
Luke Forshaw Head of Brand, Back Market, said: “For many years, major players within the culinary space have championed food waste reduction, leading to a notable shift in consumer attitudes when it comes to our cooking habits. We want to take the nation on the same educational path for tech waste, championing the use of refurbished technology and its positive impact on the planet. We’re thrilled to be working with Kirk and the incredible team at Plates London, and are so excited to see the menu come to life!”
