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The Sun
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I tried Britain's priciest fish and chips – it costs £65, weighs 2.2kg & no one has EVER finished it alone – could you?
BRITAIN'S priciest fish and chips costs £65, weighs up to 2.2kg and puts foodies firmly in their plaice – as no one can finish it. Hungry diners need a bread knife to cut the super supper at Archie's Fish & Chips in Minster, Kent. 4 4 And the very thought of the mammoth platter, which also includes four portions of chips, four sides, four drinks plus bread and butter, had my mouth watering. The mega-meal — thought to be the country's largest — has gone viral online, racking up more than 12million views on TikTok. And as a lifelong fish and chips fanatic, grabbing a portion was high on my 'to do' list after I moved back to the UK from California earlier this year. Living in Los Angeles for years, I'd switched to a diet consisting mainly of red meat, eggs and dairy, with few carbs — and very definitely no chips. I'd also worked fasting on Wednesdays into my routine. So it was a perfect storm when I was asked to try finishing Archie's extra large cod meal this week. To be fair, I was pretty hungry as I settled down to tuck in. So much so that, when the humongous platter was laid in front of me, I felt confident I could put a severe dent in it — if not finish the lot. Maybe the old me could have coped, but I'm a changed man. And despite the meal being delicious, I had to throw in the towel a quarter of the way through, boxing up the leftovers for friends and family to enjoy. Archie's owners, Alex Povalyaev, 44, and his wife Natalia, 52, say they came up with the chippy challenge when pals visited them in April last year. Now word has spread and diners come from as far afield as Peru, California and Germany to give it a go. Mum-of-two Natalia, originally from Moscow, told me: 'Our friends came to visit us and we wanted to surprise them. "Alex found the 2.2kg fish, we cooked it, filmed making it and posted it on TikTok — then it went viral. "It's got almost 4million views, and then people started asking for it, so we decided to put it on the menu and it became really popular. 'People see the big fish meal on TikTok and want to try it.' Owner Alex now gets stopped on the street by fans wanting his photo because the extra large cod meal has become so famous. Customers are advised to pre-order the dish to ensure the shop has a big enough piece of fish ready to fry. Each fillet usually weighs between 1.5kg and 2.2kg after it has been battered, compared to a standard cod portion which typically comes in at 300g. Describing how the big dish is just too filling for diners, Natalia said: 'We had one guy message us to ask if he could do it for a challenge. 'If he could manage it, it would be free and, if not, he would pay. 'He almost finished it. He ate all the fish, but he couldn't finish the sides and chips. 'He was a big guy, but he couldn't do it. We're still waiting for someone who can. I'd love to see it done.' 4
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Is this Britain's most expensive chippy? Viral videos show fish lovers tucking into eyewatering £65 takeaway
It's a British classic and a typically more affordable Friday night treat than going out to dine at a fancy restaurant. But one fish and chips in Kent has raised eyebrows with its eye-wateringly expensive version of the beloved dish. At £65 for its 'special' cod and fries, Archie's Fish and Chips in Minster, Thanet, has surpassed Bentley's Oyster Bar and Grill in Mayfair - at £29 for the meal - and Gordon Ramsay 's £24.50 version at Bread Street eateries. But there's a welcome twist as Archie's monster portion of the quintessentially British dish is so large it could serve you for a week - or feed an entire household. The 2.2kg battered fillet has become a viral sensation on social media platforms such as TikTok, with food lovers shown excitedly tucking into the beast. Alex and Natalie Bovalyaev, who have run the chippy for 11 years, originally served the almighty meal as a one-off for friends. But after a positive reaction, they decided to put it on the menu for other fish lovers to try. Have YOU tried it? Email The 2.2kg battered fillet has become a viral sensation on social media platforms such as TikTok 'It's bringing more customers in, as I think people enjoy something unusual,' Mr Bovalyaev told KentOnline. 'People love it on TikTok. I don't think they've seen a fish that size before, so we're getting more orders now. It's good fun and makes people happy.' As well as the fish itself, the feast also includes four portions of chips, four sides, four drinks and bread and butter. One viral clip on TikTok shows a man cutting into the massive fillet - showing just how far the meal goes as a normal sized portion hardly puts a dent in the fish. While one person commented 'ouch' at the £65 price tag, another replied: 'That's pretty good considering a single portion of fish & chips near me costs about 15 quid, looks lush as well, hope you all enjoyed it.' Another added: 'I wouldn't share.' A fourth said: 'No taste to something that big. Small fish taste better.' Popular chef and TV star Gordon Ramsay has not gone unnoticed for his version of the British favourite, dished up at Bread Street eateries across the country - which can cost up to £24.50 depending on the restaurant. The dish is unsurprisingly served up with mushy peas and tartare sauce on the side. At Bentley's Oyster Bar and Grill in Mayfair, you'll expect to pay £29 for a version of the same dish, also served with tartare sauce and mushy peas, as you might expect. One viewer wrote on TripAdvisor: 'Don't get me started on the best fish and chips I have ever had.' A far cheaper alternative in Britain is Mathews Chippy in Grimsby, which sells a cod, fish and peas special for just £3. Singing its praises, one reviewer wrote of the eatery: 'Brilliant value for money 3 quid for a fish chips and peas special. Food was nice and great service, really busy queuing out the door.' In April, some fish and chips shop owners revealed they are no longer turning a profit from selling cod, amid inflation, rising costs and tightening fishing quotas. Concerned about 'fishflation', some chippy owners spoke out as one apologised to customers after charging £15 for fish and chips as a result of widespread price hikes. Labour's increase in National Insurance contributions also raised concerns for employers that they would have to increase wage bills. Brad-Lee Navruz, who runs The Nippy Chippy in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, said he 'feels bad' for customers who've been left shocked by the new prices, but explained the rising cost of ingredients has left him with little alternative. Archie's Fish and Chips said in a comment: 'For everyone who is complaining about the price: £65 is for the MEAL FOR 4 PEOPLE!!! 'The meal is for preorders only.
The Sun
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Tragedy as dad-of-four, 40, dies just months after he blamed stress for his stomach ache
A DAD passed away months after complaining of stomach pain, which he initially put down to stress. Kyle Ingram-Baldwin's ordeal began in October last year, when he sought his doctor's advice after suffering from a stomach ache for a couple of weeks. 4 4 The dad-of-four, from Minster, Kent, had suspected his pain was stress related, and expected the diagnosis to be gallstones. After his pain got worse, the 40-year-old went to A&E. An ultrasound found bulges on his liver. A CT scan followed, and Kyle was given the devastating diagnosis of bowel cancer. He said: "I didn't think a lot of it, but I thought I'd better get it checked out. "The suspicion at the time was gallstones, which obviously it wasn't. "They told me that I've got cancer that's spread. "I was like, wow, okay. I didn't expect that, but you know, it is what it is." Two weeks later he was told he had stage-four bowel cancer - meaning the disease was at an advanced stage and had spread to other parts of his body. He said: "I was thinking, what's going on here? What have I done wrong? "I was putting the blame on my own feet and worrying about the future for my wife and kids. "That's probably the hardest thing - the mental side. "Don't get me wrong, the physical is not funny either, but it's a mental challenge." The 40-year-old went through six rounds of chemo and another, more targeted course, but these were not able to get the disease - which spread to his liver - under control. Kyle spoke about how his cancer battle had impacted his wife and children aged 12, nine, three and one. 4 4 He shared that he did not want his wife to have to cope on her own, saying he was determined to keep fighting. Kyle said: "It's really hard to put into words, because I love my kids so much. You just worry about their future. "They've got the best mum in the world, and I genuinely mean that. My wife's incredible." On June 8 this year, the dad launched a GoFundMe to help pay for alternative treatments as he was "not prepared to give up" - more than £15,000 was raised in a matter of days. What are the red flag warning signs of bowel cancer? IT'S the fourth most common cancer in the UK, the second deadliest - yet bowel cancer can be cured, if you catch it early enough. While screening is one way of ensuring early diagnosis, there are things everyone can do to reduce their risk of the deadly disease. Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and checking with your GP can prove a life-saver. If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed and don't ignore them. Doctors are used to seeing lots of patients with bowel problems. The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include: Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo A change in your normal toilet habits - going more frequently for example Pain or a lump in your tummy Extreme tiredness Losing weight Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness. In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction. Other signs include: Gripping pains in the abdomen Feeling bloated Constipation and being unable to pass wind Being sick Feeling like you need to strain - like doing a number two - but after you've been to the loo While these are all signs to watch out for, experts warn the most serious is noticing blood in your stools. But, they warn it can prove tricky for doctors to diagnose the disease, because in most cases these symptoms will be a sign of a less serious disease. The dad said he was "blown away" by the huge sum and that it had given him hope. But Kyle's wife Becky shared that he tragically passed away on June 16, barely a week after launching the fundraiser. In an update on the GoFundMe page, she wrote: "Unfortunately, Kyle took a very sudden and unexpected turn and we lost him yesterday. "He was the most incredible man I have ever met, and I know he would want me to thank everyone for all your sharing and donations. "I wanted to personally thank each and every one of you who donated to try and help Kyle. I'm so sorry we didn't get to. "Thank you to loved ones, friends old and new and complete strangers with huge hearts." 'Go get checked' Becky told donors on June 18 that they would all be receiving a refund. However, after an "overwhelming" number of messages, she set up a new fundraiser to support the family's young children, with more than £2,000 already donated. She added: "As we raised such an incredible amount from so many selfless people, I thought maybe (and it feels so weird and uncomfortable) if people wanted to, once they get refunded, they can gift money to our children. "I don't know if this is the right thing to do, but the amount of messages I've had is just overwhelming. "If you want to give your donation to charity or just make memories with your families, that's what you should do. It didn't feel right for me to make that decision." You can donate to the new fundraiser here. Kyle worked for Automatic Retailing, a wholesale supplier for vending machines, and helped run the Men's Mental Health Support Talking Football project in Minster. He wanted to encourage others to get checked out urgently if something doesn't feel right. He added: "I didn't present with any of the conventional symptoms. "If you think anything's wrong, please press your GP and go get it checked, because I genuinely wouldn't want anyone being in my position."
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Father-of-four dies of bowel cancer, aged 40, within months of being diagnosed - the only warning sign was terrifyingly easy to dismiss
A father-of-four whose only sign of deadly bowel cancer was a troubling stomach ache has died, eight months after being told he had the disease. Kyle Ingram-Baldwin, 40, had only just launched a fundraiser on June 8 to pay for alternative treatments as he was 'not prepared to give up'. But in a heartbreaking post on the funding platform his wife Becky confirmed he had died on June 16. 'Unfortunately, Kyle took a very sudden and unexpected turn and we lost him yesterday,' she wrote. 'He was the most incredible man I have ever met, and I know he would want me to thank everyone for all your sharing and donations.' His death comes amid a worrying trend of younger adults being diagnosed with the devastating disease. Mr Ingram-Baldwin, from Minster, Kent, originally sought help from his GP in October after suffering a persistent stomach ache that he suspected was linked to stress or gallstones. But after the pain got worse he ended up attending A&E where scans revealed the true devastating cause. An ultrasound showed worrying bulges on his liver, with a follow-up CT scan confirming these were cancer. Further tests revealed these were secondary growths from a cancer that had originated in his bowel. This meant the disease was already at stage-four, the final and most serious stage. Only 10 per cent of bowel cancer patients diagnosed at stage four are alive five years later, according to Cancer Research UK. Recalling the moment he got the news Mr Ingram-Baldwin said the mental toll was extraordinary. 'I was thinking, what's going on here? What have I done wrong? I was putting the blame on my own feet and worrying about the future for my wife and kids,' he said. 'That's probably the hardest thing-the mental side. 'Don't get me wrong, the physical is not funny either, but it's a mental challenge.' Mr Ingram-Baldwin, who worked for a vending machine supplier, underwent more than half-a-dozen rounds of gruelling chemotherapy. But, unfortunately, this failed to bring the disease under control. Shortly before his death Mr Ingram-Baldwin spoke about how the cancer had impacted his wife, and children aged 12, nine, three and one. 'It's really hard to put into words, because I love my kids so much. You just worry about their future,' he said. 'They've got the best mum in the world, and I genuinely mean that. My wife's incredible.' He urged other patients to not dismiss signs that something isn't right in their bodies. 'I didn't present with any of the conventional symptoms,' he said. 'If you think anything's wrong, please press your GP and go get it checked, because I genuinely wouldn't want anyone being in my position.' Symptoms of the bowel cancer include changes in bowel movements such as diarrhoea or constipation, needing or feeling the need to empty your bowels more or less frequently, blood in stool, stomach pain, bloating, as well as unexpected weight loss and fatigue. Stomach pain like Mr Ingram-Baldwin experienced, a lump in the stomach, bloating and fatigue are also among other common signs. Mr Ingram-Baldwin isn't alone in being hit by a devastating bowel cancer diagnosis as a young adult. Experts have noted a concerning and mysterious rise in rates of the disease among young adults, defined in cancer terms as those under 50. A recent global study found rates of bowel cancer in under 50 year-olds are rising in 27 of 50 nations. England is averaging a 3.6 per cent rise in younger adults every year-one of the highest increases recorded. While the disease is known linked to obesity, experts have noted that the disease also seems to also be occurring in fit and healthy patients. Some experts believe the explanation must lie in environmental factors young people have been exposed to more than previous generations. While no 'smoking gun' has been found, there are multiple theories. These include modern chemicals in diets, microplastics, pollution, and one recent study even pinned the surge on exposure to in food. There are around 2,600 new bowel cancer cases in people aged 25-49 in Britain every year, and around 44,100 new cases among all ages. Around 44,000 cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed every year in the UK, with about 130,000 in the US. The disease kills almost 17,000 Britons each year, with the death toll rising to about 50,000 in America. Overall, just over half of bowel cancer patients are expected to be alive 10 years after their diagnosis. More than £15,000 was raised in Mr Ingram-Baldwin's drive for alternative treatments. Mrs Ingram-Baldwin has now confirmed the amount would now be re-funded to donors. She urged people to consider donating the money to charity or using it to 'make memories with your families'.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Women's role in Minster window's story highlighted
A stained glass window which serves as a memorial to the 1,514 servicewomen of the British Empire who died in World War One is the focus of a new exhibition at York Minster. The Five Sisters Window, originally dating back to the 13th Century, was rededicated to the servicewomen who lost their lives in the 1914-18 conflict after a campaign by York residents Helen Little and Almyra Gray. Dr Jennie England, from the Minster, said she hoped the exhibition would highlight the window's history and the role women played in the war effort. "I think it tells a remarkable story of women getting together and finding a way to commemorate those other women who lost their lives," she said. Dr England, research coordinator at York Minster, said: "It's incredibly moving. Having this sisterhood coming together to remember sisters is a really key part of the story." The Visions, Voices, Vocations exhibition chronologically follows the efforts of the two women to bring their vision to reality in the early 1920s. At that time, the Five Sisters Window was in need of repair and Helen Little and Almyra Gray saw an opportunity not only to raise the £3,000 needed to restore it to its former glory, but also to create a lasting memorial to all the servicewomen of the British Empire who had died less than a decade earlier. Along with 32,000 other women, they raised the necessary money in just nine weeks, which paid for the restoration of the window and for the roll of honour, located on oak panel screens beneath the window. The names of each of the 1,514 servicewomen from across the British Empire who died in the war are inscribed on the wooden screens. Kirsty Mitchell, curator of York Minster's collections and interpretation team, explained that the memorial still had historical significance as it reached its centenary year. "It's the only national memorial in the country, and it's here because of Helen Little and Almyra Gray," Ms Mitchell explained. "Really, the exhibition is a culmination of research to that point, but the research and our understanding of the screens will continue beyond this." Alongside the Five Sisters Window exhibition, artist-in-residence Olivia Hemingway has produced a photography showcase of contemporary contributions women working at the Minster have made in the present day. Located in the medieval Chapter House, Ms Hemingway's work is displayed on digital screens, and captures the daily working life of police officers, musicians, stonemasons and conservators at the Minster. Dr England said: "It's really exciting to have the exhibition opened and ready to be viewed. "We're really hoping it sheds light on the window and its history - both its medieval and recent history. "We're also hoping people will be able to understand and engage with the memorial screens in a new way." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. York Minster 'My stonework will be seen for years to come' Cathedral wants artists to mark 1,400th birthday Robot dogs and drones used to protect UK heritage Minster 'in flames' for anniversary projections
