News > People

TV Chefs Blasted Over Kitchen Hygiene

By Alan Lodge, 10-Dec-2007

Related topics: People, Restaurants

Gordon Ramsay and Anthony Worrall Thompson rapped by health inspectors over cleanliness of kitchens in their London restaurants

GORDON Ramsay and Anthony Worrall Thompson have been criticised by health chiefs over the cleanliness of their restaurant kitchens.

Ramsay`s Michelin-starred restaurant in Chelsea and Worrall Thompson`s Notting Grill in West London fell foul of health inspectors on recent visits.

 

The criticism from Kensington and Chelsea Council will be particularly embarrassing for Ramsay, who often raps other chef over the state off their kitchens on his TV show Kitchen Nightmares.

 

Inspectors at Ramsay`s Chelsea joint noted in September 2006: "Wash basins should only be used for washing hands.

 

"Staff were observed rinsing cleaning cloths in one."

 

In 2005, an inspector at the same restaurant discovered broken tiles, which can collect scraps, split door seals and cleaning materials stored next to food.

 

Ramsay was also ordered to "thoroughly clean" his freezer.

 

Worrall Thompson fared equally badly. At his Notting Grill restaurant last December an inspector noted that food was "at risk of contamination" in the wash-up room because it was "stored next to and below chemicals", or was "cooling near wash-up sinks and the dishwasher".

 

The inspectors also found a that a fan used to cool food was "not clean and disinfected".

 

Worrall Thompson caused something of a storm in 2000 after claiming that the obsession with cleaning surfaces would lead to people having a weakened resistance to bugs, although he added: "That`s not to say my restaurants are not absolutely clean."

 

When questioned over the health inspector`s comments, Worrall Thompson said: "On the risk of contamination thing, it was a one-off.

 

"It was wrong that the food had been left there to cool but, really, you go into any restaurant on any day of the week and you will probably find something to pick at.

 

"But I am all in favour of anything that helps keep kitchens hygienic."

 

Gordon Ramsay`s spokesman refused to comment on the issue.

BigHighlights

Rick Stein: Pearls of Wisdom

Rick Stein: Pearls of Wisdom

The chef and TV presenter runs three seafood restaurants in Cornwall, as well as two fish and...

Recruiting and retaining staff: How to develop employees and cut turnover rates

Recruiting and retaining staff: How to develop employees and cut turnover rates

Advertising in all the right places and whittling down prospective candidates for a job can seem wasted...

Lucy Haines: Career Profile

Lucy Haines: Career Profile

Lucy Haines joined London wine tasting venue Vinopolis as managing director earlier this year, following senior commercial...

World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2012: Were three British restaurants enough?

World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2012: Were three British restaurants enough?

With only three UK restaurants on the list at Monday night’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, BigHospitality...

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Special: What's your business doing?
IDEAS FROM YOUR PEERS

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Special: What's your business doing?

To celebrate The Queen's Diamond Jubilee next month, BigHospitality has spoken to restaurants, hotels, pubs and bars...

Find us on Facebook