Over the last 12 months, we have seen the decadent world of culinary excess reach dizzying heights. From the priciest club sandwich to the five most expensive cupcakes in the world, chefs have been going above and beyond to get our taste buds tingling and our chequebooks opening.

As the latest example of ultra-luxury dining, chef Charlie Bingham has turned the humble ready meal on its head with a costly reimagining of the classic British fish pie, including lobster tails, edible gold leaf and a GB £314.16 (US $513) price tag.

The Swish Pie, which has quickly gained a reputation at the most expensive ready meal in the world, is made from the finest British lobster, fresh diver-caught scallops and oysters poached in Dom Perignon champagne and topped with white Alba truffle, 24-carat gold leaf crumb and an amuse-bouche of Beluga caviar, all served in a bespoke, gold-leaf guilded wooden tray.



“We always set out to create the very best versions of people’s favourite dishes,” chef Bingham told The Independent.

“I've spent months scouring the globe for the most exclusive ingredients while developing this unique recipe to ensure that it really is the most exceptional ready meal out there.”

As an additional flourish of exclusivity, each purchased pie is delivered in a bespoke aluminium case, which is handcuffed to a professional security guard.

Unlike Charlie Bingham’s line of high-quality ready meals, which are available at supermarkets across the UK, the Swish Pie can only be purchased through the chef’s dedicated website and is available for a limited time only.

www.binghams.com