Marks and Spencer has been accused of trying to “profit off” an Indian restaurant’s signature chilli, egg and bacon naan recipe.
Dishoom, which has sites in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham, was “hurt” by a post on the supermarket’s Instagram account that laid claim to the dish.
Dearest friends, it may not have escaped some people’s notice that a rather famous retailer has, in the past days, been peddling the recipe for a dish that is especially close to our hearts. https://t.co/mbDHH4qhbr
— Dishoom (@Dishoom) July 1, 2021
“It has since become clear that this recipe is now being used, without any credit, across numerous paid advertising platforms,” it said.
“To attempt to profit off a dish that has become synonymous with a restaurant (which, like so many others, is doing everything in its power to stay afloat, to rebuild, and to protect over 950 jobs), seems to me pretty cheeky.”
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Marks and Spencer originally claimed the “ridiculously tasty brunch recipe” belonged to Chris Baber, an influencer sponsored by the supermarket.
It has since clarified the meal was “inspired by the wonderful dish @Dishoom”.
The grocer tweeted it “wanted to stay friends”, encouraging followers to book a table at the restaurant chain.
It is also “reaching out” to children’s charity Magic Breakfast, apparently taking Dishoom’s suggestion to “make amends” by donating to the organisation.
The news comes after Marks and Spencer took Aldi to court for allegedly infringing its Colin the Caterpillar trademark.
It argued Cuthbert the Caterpillar “rides on the coat-tails” of its reputation and led consumers to believe the cakes were of the same standard.
