Deep-fried crisp and even: Chippy serves up calorific take on Christmas dinner
This is a Christmas dinner with a difference.
James Ellinsworth, who runs April’s Plaice, in Buckhaven, Fife, has only been selling his gut-busting 1,000-calorie deep-fried take on the classic for three days but it has already proved so popular that he sold out of turkey legs.
All of your festive favourites are served up, all be it in battered form, including sprouts, carrots, pigs in blankets and a choice of chicken or turkey.
Dad-of-one James, originally from Blackpool, is offering diners two options for the deep-fried poultry – either chicken, or turkey.
The 34-year-old said: “The Scots will batter anything.
“I have had people that have walked in here and have walked into my shop and asked if I will batter a Bounty, or even a pickled egg.
“We do a deep fried chicken supper.
“We are giving people the option of turkey or chicken, and I’ve found people tend to prefer chicken.
“People end up overindulging in turkey over Christmas.”
The only things served up in the Christmas dinner box which are not deep fried is a mince pie and a portion of gravy.
James added: “I tried deep frying the mince pie but it didn’t go very well.”
Even customers who object to sprouts have had their minds changed after tucking into the mega meal.
James said: “For people who weren’t sure, I made the sprouts first and let them try them.
“One guy just wanted a portion of sprouts to take home to his wife.
“Everyone who has come in has specifically ordered it, apart from one person who said ‘I just want to try something different’.”
Over the weekend, James sold ten portions of turkey and 12 of chicken.
“At the weekend it was just mental,” James said.
“If it carries on like this I will absolutely do it next year.”
But despite the popularity of the festive feast, his daughter April, aged five, has not yet tried it and James has said he won’t be eating a deep fried Christmas dinner.
He added: “I will be having a traditional Christmas dinner.
“There’s no way I’ll be having a deep fried one.”