First we had the deep fried Mars Bar, reportedly  invented in 1995 in the Haven Chip Bar (now the Carron), in Stonehaven near Aberdeen.  Originally a novelty item it has now become synonymous with Scotland’s notoriously unhealthy diet.   After an item on the Channel4 programme, the Big Breakfast, chip shops around the country started putting it on their menus.  One phone call to a local paper and in the space of just a few days a bit of fun between a chip shop owner and some local children in a Scottish fishing town, the dish was transformed into a global cultural and gastronomic phenomenon. The product is “not authorised or endorsed” by Mars Inc.

But like all phenomenons, there is always someone who wants to take the theme still further and today we read that an ex-pat Brit, Chris Sell from Rugby, Warwickshire, who has a  New York chip shop, has come up with this “tasty” treat to satisfy hungry Brits living in the Big Apple who love fish and chips and a traditional fry-up – a 1,200 calorie battered sandwich with a full English breakfast filling!

Now I don’t know about you, but the thought of anything deep fried makes me cringe!  On the rare occasions I do find myself having a fish and chip supper I always strip the fish of all the batter before eating but I do know people who love this type of fatty food – each to their own.

However, why ruin a perfectly good English breakfast by wrapping it in batter?  This type of heart attack on a plate needs to be consigned to the nearest dustbin – unless you’ve got a hangover of course when I’m sure it will hit the spot nicely!   And the next big decision you will need to make?  Will it be red or brown sauce with that?!?