A COUPLE claim a romantic £2,500 anniversary holiday was ruined by food poisoning after they were served raw chicken.
Stephen and Kelli Burke spent two weeks in an all-inclusive four star hotel while on a Thomas Cook holiday in Riviera Maya, Mexico, in May.
But 31-year-old Stephen claims he was left vomiting for four days after eating uncooked chicken at the hotel, while Kelli escaped.
He has released images of raw chicken, which he claims he was served on two occasions during the holiday, booked to celebrate the couple's first wedding anniversary.
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Stephen and Kelli Burke had booked a £2,500 holiday to celebrate their wedding anniversaryCredit: MERCURY PRESS
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Stephen claims he was served raw chicken at the all inclusive hotelCredit: MERCURY PRESS
Stephen said: "We were expecting a really nice, luxurious romantic break – a once in a lifetime trip really.
"But it was absolutely horrendous and it cost us the final few days of our holiday, as well as time when we got back to the UK as the symptoms continued.
"The whole thing was an absolute joke.
"You might expect it in other places, but this resort was supposed to be out of this world in terms of hygiene and luxury.
"We spent a lot of money on the holiday. We are not going to be able to go away again this year for another holiday of that value – it is just ruined until we can go away next year now."
Stephen, from Warrington, Chesire, alleges he lost a stone as a result of the illness.
He said he was served a chicken breast fillet from a buffet on the first night of the trip, but claims when he cut it open it was completely raw and pink inside.
The couple were upgraded as a result of Stephen's complaint but he claims during the second week of the holiday he was served raw chicken again, which this time he accidentally ate.
The same night, he alleges he was struck down by severe food poisoning and suffered constant vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pains and flu-like symptoms.
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The couple are taking legal action against travel company Thomas CookCredit: Mercury Press
Stephen said: "During the second week, we went for dinner and there wasn't much on the menu so I went for some chicken fajita filling with roasted red peppers and onions.
"As I ate it I noticed it didn't taste right and Kelli said the same, but we thought it was just the sauce it had been cooked in.
"Suddenly Kelli told me to stop eating – she had noticed when I had cut a piece of the chicken open it was completely raw, it wasn't cooked at all."
"The whole thing was just an awful experience – it turned the holiday into a complete nightmare we will remember for all the wrong reasons."
Stephen is beginning legal action against Thomas Cook which he said he hopes will "encourage them to look at the standard of this hotel".
Clare Comiskey, an Irwin Mitchell associate representing the couple, said: "Clearly Stephen and Kelli were expecting a fantastic holiday to celebrate their first year of marriage, but sadly they did not experience this and have been left with terrible memories of the holiday as a result of the illness Stephen endured in the final few days of the break.
"We have now launched our own investigation into the illness he suffered at the resort.
"Stephen and Kelli are hopeful that by taking legal action they will ensure the concerns they have about the standard of the hotel and the hygiene practices in place will be addressed by Thomas Cook, as they simply do not want to see others go through the same ordeal they did."
A spokesman for Thomas Cook said: "Nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of our customers, and we are always concerned to hear of any sickness reported while on holiday.
"We are liaising closely with Mr Burke's solicitors and hope to reach an agreement shortly."
