1980s dinner party classics make comeback thanks to Jilly Cooper's Rivals series

1980s dinner party classics make comeback thanks to Jilly Cooper's Rivals series Supermarkets and restaurants say demand is soaring for classics like prawn cocktail, rum baba and quiche Lorraine Grub popular in the 1980s is making a comeback…thanks to Disney Plus hit Rivals. Supermarkets and restaurants say demand is soaring for classics like prawn cocktail, rum baba and quiche Lorraine. The craze is thought to be driven by the return of Jilly Cooper’s comedy-drama Rivals, set in the hedonistic world of 1980s British commercial tv. It’s seen Gordon Ramsay’s eateries add pavlova and a twist on rum baba to the menu. And Waitrose has reported rocketing sales of tiramisu and corned beef. A survey by the shop found 24 per cent of us want to eat more bread and butter pud and 19 per cent enjoy a banana split. Sales of their luxury prawn cocktail have jumped 170 per cent year on year, while apple tarte tatin is up 104 per cent. The upmarket grocer has even launched a 1980s dinner party guide, describing it as a “celebration of the decade’s most iconic food.” The store’s senior trend innovation manager Lizzie Haywood said: “The ‘80s was a bold, expressive era for food, and we’re seeing that sense of fun come back in a big way. From prawn cocktails and quiches to indulgent desserts and standout drinks, people are rediscovering the joy of these classic dishes.” Chef Kamal Rees-John, who is cooking up pavlova at Ramsay’s newly opened Bread Street Kitchen in London, added: “For summer 2026 we’re seeing a real return to retro ‘80s classics that feel playful while still incorporating elements of finesse and theatre, and pavlova fits perfectly within that trend. Our guests are leaning towards desserts that feel joyful, shareable, and a little nostalgic, and pavlova delivers all of that.” The fashions of the decade are also having a revival. Vogue recently tipped 80s-style jewellery as a summer must-have, while Marie Claire cited the 80s-inspired “Glamoratti aesthetic” as a summer trend.