Food Standards Agency SE22

[maxxi]

The reason, as has been stated, that some places, like GBK, have a high rating is that all their stuff arrives in sealed boxes and only has to be either heated/cooked/microwaved/unpacked or rehydrated.

No guarantee that the factories and warehouses that supply this grub are places of impeccable hygiene though.

#outofsightoutofmind

[Lowlander]

bigdavid Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> While spending some time in third world countries,

> my girlfriend and I developed the 5 golden rules

> for enjoying your meal. Some are probably worth

> applying here at home.

>

> 1 - don't look in the kitchen. You probably don't

> want to know and you cannot unsee what you have

> seen.

> 2 - if you order something sealed (dumpling,

> samosa, etc) don't look inside it. It's sealed for

> a reason.

> 3 - never order from a third party country. If you

> are in Nepal, don't order the Lasagne.

> 4 - never deviate from the menu. "Have you got any

> seafood?" in a place where it isn't on the menu

> will challenge the chef will always lead to

> trouble.

> 5 - if what you get served is close enough to what

> you order, or to be honest just looks edible,

> accept it quietly. Sending things back makes for

> hurried changes and disgruntled staff. Both can

> result in a dose of the Tijuana 2-step.

6 - only eat street food from busy vendors. If no-ones eating there, it's usually a sign.

[El Pibe]

"#outofsightoutofmind"

Non, no, nej, nyet

#nichthaschentagen

[maxxi]

El Pibe Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> "#outofsightoutofmind"

>

> Non, no, nej, nyet

>

> #nichthaschentagen

It won't make you fat.

#notonmyforumyoubastard

[LondonMix]

That list of 5-star rated places seems to have ommited all the non-chain restaurants that contradict your point like:

Franklins

Indian Mischief

Le Chandelier

Scoop

The SeaCow

The Actress

The Great Exhibition

There are quite a few more in the 4 category as well (The Palmerston, Bluebrick Cafe). Good food does not necessitate a filty kitchen.

StraferJack Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> let's look at some of those 5 star-rated places

>

> Adventure Bar

> Barcelona Tapas

> Cafe Nero

> Dominos

> GBK

> Clockhouse

>

> non-existant food, bland pap or just plain ropey

[Annette Curtain]

On a serious note. I believe ALL food vendors -inc street food traders will be obliged to display their rating with a "scores on the doors" type thing, sometime soon.

[StraferJack]

LondonMix

". Good food does not necessitate a filty kitchen. "

of course not - I'm not advocating filthy kitchens. I'm just saying a 5 star rating doesn't mean better food than a zero or 1 star

I used that list to highlight the opposite of what nimby was saying ie why would someone interested in a clean kitchen provide bland food?

[LondonMix]

Ah, I see. Looking at the list I don't see any relationship at all regarding taste etc. Some of my favourite places scored pretty low and some scored pretty high. I think all the rating means is that the kitchen is dirty or clean-- simples!

[StraferJack]

yup - same here

but some people will base their decision to go or not go on that one factor

[*Bob*]

A friend of mine used to work in this area. She said the majority of family kitchens at home would be at the bottom of the hygiene ratings were they to be inspected, so it's always worth keeping these things in perspective.

[Annette Curtain]

Is it time for this "factoid"

Arhhhhhhgg...run for the hills !

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2235650/The-kitchen-sponge-200-000-times-dirtier-toilet-seat--lead-PARALYSIS.html

[the-e-dealer]

I quite Like Barcelona but Someone said it was a bit oily.

[El Pibe]

Yeah, I'm forever slipping over on Las Ramblas, Madrid is much safer, well, apart from the muggings.

[the-e-dealer]

Lol

[James Barber]

Please do use the link.

Some real surprises of the 23 local businesses with 0 or 1 star rating. A year ago it was 56 so big improvement for our area.

What I find particularly frustrating is I've ensured we have local funds to provide free food hygiene training for local businesses and zero take-up so far. But most of these mega low ratings were from inspections many months ago so most I would hope are now much better. They can ask for re inspections to prove how much they've improved. I've requested they be reinspected.

[UncleBen]

It is up to the proprietor of the business to request re-rating inspections following set procedures and time frames,not a local councillor with nothing better to do other than send health inspectors to local businesses that have just received inspection! JB try reading the food standards website concerning this matter rather than poking misinformed nose in again. Oh, and whilst you are troubling businesses without their permission and consent are you going to provide more health inspectors to cover all the shops that are uninspected because the time spent in east dulwich by the inspectors. You need to read your own code of conduct.

[UncleBen]

Plus JB, I have worked hard in achieving a good star rating, and i have spent time, money and effort in maintaining high standards, and am appalled that you want other food shops that haven't bothered doing that to be re-rated so that they take my customers! They deserve their rating. What is the point of the rating if it does not pay to have high score? Yet you want all scores high-let them earn it, do not take my customers, nor pervert the only good govt scheme for ages.

[the-e-dealer]

So what don't retest? Where's the incentive to improve ?

[UncleBen]

If you read the post, you would see the incentive to improve is customer numbers, despite what previous posters have said. You also do not grasp the point, like the ill informed councillor that the only people entitled to ask for a re-inspection is the prorietor. Again, to Edealer, the same advice as to Barber-read and understand the procedure before spouting. Enjoy your food.

[the-e-dealer]

uncle with your winning ways I am so on your side now.

[reeko]

I understand the rules uncleben, have to say as a customer, I welcome all and any efforts to drive up overall food hygeine standards. I Wpuld much rather bnot have to consider this as a factor when eating out. I would much rather be able to assume that all establishments were at least three stars. If re-inspection on helps achieve this then I am all for it regardless of who requests it.

[Mick Mac]

Agree with Reeko.

[UncleBen]

Inspectors have been inspecting for years reeko, before star ratings and James Barber! For anyone to believe that all restaurants are clean and meet all requirements is very naieve. The bottom line is that JB has no right whatsoever to request re-inspections at all, and it is just more misinformation that he propagates a la co-op licensing.

[indiepanda]

reeko Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I understand the rules uncleben, have to say as a

> customer, I welcome all and any efforts to drive

> up overall food hygeine standards. I Wpuld much

> rather bnot have to consider this as a factor when

> eating out. I would much rather be able to assume

> that all establishments were at least three stars.

> If re-inspection on helps achieve this then I am

> all for it regardless of who requests it.

I agree. I've had food poisoning before and it's no joke. I've looked at the list and found some places I eat have been scored rather low, and others much higher, am more likely to revisit the higher scored ones now.

[reeko]

UncleBen, Thanks for pointing that out that all restaurants might not have the same standards of hygiene. What with me being so naive and all, I may never have it figured out. Does anyone else get fed up with the eternal Barber bashing on this site? I am no lib dem fan, but castigating a councillor for trying to improve hygience in local establishments seems perverse in the extreme. But I suppose thems the rules - eh UncleBen?