A Historic Condiment Faces Discontinuation
The iconic Victorian condiment, Gentleman’s Relish, is at risk of disappearing forever after its manufacturer decided to stop production. This anchovy paste, also known as Patum Peperium, has survived for over 177 years, outlasting six monarchs and two world wars. However, due to declining sales, the product has been discontinued, with the company stating that it was no longer “commercially viable.”
The family of John Osborn, the grocer who created the relish in 1828, is now urging the current manufacturer, AB World Foods, to make the secret recipe public. Osborn, an expat in Paris, developed the paste using a mix of anchovy fillets, rusk, butter, and a unique blend of herbs and spices. The recipe was passed down through generations, with each half of the instructions shared between his two sons, Newton and Harold.
Despite its long history, the family lost access to the full recipe when Osborn’s great-grandchildren sold the business in 1971. Georgina Hamilton-Fletcher, one of Osborn’s great-great-great-grandchildren, expressed her hope that the recipe could be saved and shared with someone who might revive it on a smaller scale. She also emphasized the importance of preserving the brand name, even if it meant passing it on to another party.
Hamilton-Fletcher attempted to purchase a final pot of the relish but found it already sold out and available for auction on sites like eBay for £50. She noted that many people online are trying to recreate the recipe, showing continued interest in the product.
The original production process involved making the relish by hand, with only one other worker, ensuring exclusivity. However, the product’s longevity—sometimes lasting up to six months—proved challenging for business. Despite this, the family has managed to collect special-edition pots and souvenirs from Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation.
Their collection includes a note from Admiral Sir Sidney Smith requesting three pots of the relish for his Paris hotel, as well as advertisement clippings and price lists from C Osborn and Co Ltd, which once described the relish as “the greatest of all table delicacies since The Reign of William IV.”
In 2001, the relish was acquired by G.Costa, which was later bought by AB World Foods. Although Osborn created the product in 1828, he did not market it until 1849, launching it at the Paris Food Show. To give it a more distinguished image, he named it “Patum Peperium,” a mock Latin term for “pepper pate.”
AB Foods, which took over the manufacturing rights two decades ago, stated that while the relish has a loyal following, it lacks broader commercial appeal. They added that despite their efforts, retailer distribution had declined, leading to the decision to stop production earlier this year.
The relish also had a notable fan in James Bond author Ian Fleming, who would order it when dining at Scott’s, a historic London restaurant. It was served on toast with scrambled egg, a dish known as Scotch woodcock.
With the discontinuation of Gentleman’s Relish, the legacy of John Osborn and his creation faces an uncertain future. The family hopes that the recipe can be preserved and shared, ensuring that this piece of culinary history is not lost forever.
