YouTuber Kyle Gibson wins Grand Thali challenge at Lily's in Ashton

YOUTUBE stay Kyle Gibson has won a “Grand Thali” challenge at Lily's Vegetarian Indian Cuisine in Ashton.

Owners of the restaurant served 7kg of food on a huge 24-inch thali - including curries, daals, samosas, chaats, breads, desserts and two lassi drinks, for £35 to be eaten in just one hour.

Gibson, 23, accomplished the feat last Sunday (8) with 19 minutes to spare, the restaurant said.

Lily's Grand Thali

"YouTuber Kyle Gibson managed to eat the whole thali except for two green chillies. He did not like the taste of the sweet and salty lassi (buttermilk drink), but to complete the challenge, he drank both. Another three people are still in line to try to eat the whole thali this week,” said Parul Chauhan, manager of the family-run restaurant.

“We offer a thali as a challenge for £35. But it is not affordable to us. We are considering whether to give this plate as a sharing in the future," Chauhan added.

Lily's was founded in 1972 by Chauhan's father PG Sachdev and mother Lilavati Sachdev (who was fondly called Lily). They came to the UK from Nairobi in the 1970s.

The couple started the business in a small shop on Cotton Street East, Ashton-Under-Line by selling home-made snacks and savouries.

Later, Chauhan's brothers Harish and Rajesh as well as other family members also joined the business.

"Earlier we used to run a small café. But my nephew Pritul suggested the idea of having a big restaurant. Since 2018, we have been handling restaurants with a seating capacity of 80. The two brothers, me, my two nephews, a large family including his wife, run the restaurant with the help of chefs and other staff," he said.

"When we started, we only served unlimited thali on Thursdays and served the food items as often as people wanted. However, we no longer serve it. People try our variety of dishes and recipes."

Lily's has been a favourite for vegetarian Indian food in Tameside.