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'I run a spotless kitchen', says Michelin-star restaurant chef in wake of food hygiene debacle

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The initial inspection report cited inadequate hand-washing facilities, contamination hazards, and an order to cease serving raw lobster, concluding that food safety management required major improvement. Ynyshir's leadership countered the findings by conducting independent biological testing to verify their practices were safe, describing the problems as minor operational issues typical of a rural kitchen. Following a comprehensive reinspection, the local council restored the establishment's top five-star hygiene rating in August after all concerns were resolved.

Key points

  • Chef Ward maintained that inspectors misunderstood the specialized preparation methods re…: Chef Ward maintained that inspectors misunderstood the specialized preparation methods required for raw food courses.
  • Ynyshir utilized independent biological testing to demonstrate that its non-conventional…: Ynyshir utilized independent biological testing to demonstrate that its non-conventional kitchen practices remained completely safe.
  • The business addressed all cleanliness, facility, and safety issues before successfully r…: The business addressed all cleanliness, facility, and safety issues before successfully regaining its top hygiene score.

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- Published

The chef at Wales' only two-Michelin-star restaurant has defended the way he operates his kitchen after the venue came under scrutiny over food hygiene standards.

While chasing a third Michelin star, Ynyshir was handed a one-star hygiene rating in February and told to improve due to concerns about raw and undercooked foods.

The news made global headlines and was a blow to Ward and his team, but in Apple TV's documentary series Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars, Ward said Ynyshir was "an incredible place".

"There's nothing in there that's amateurish," he told the programme. "I run a spotless kitchen."

Ward, who co-owns the restaurant near Machynlleth in mid Wales, added the hygiene rating had hurt, "because we are only trying to be the best".

"Whether you're a cafe, or a pub, or a two-Michelin-star restaurant. We've all got the same rules," he told the eight-part second series of the show, which follows elite chefs and their teams.

"But we go above and beyond everything to make what we do safe."

Ynyshir was previously ordered to stop serving raw…

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