Italian Restaurant in Warrington Addresses One-Star Food Hygiene Rating
An Italian restaurant in Warrington, Il Cortile, located in Culcheth, has recently come under scrutiny after receiving a low food hygiene rating of one star from the Food Standards Agency. The restaurant has taken steps to address the issues highlighted in the inspection and has issued a statement reassuring its customers of their commitment to maintaining high standards of food safety and quality.
Inspectors from the Food Standards Agency visited the Common Lane venue on August 15 and conducted a thorough assessment of the restaurant’s food hygiene practices. While the hygienic handling of food was deemed to be generally satisfactory, there were areas that required improvement, particularly in terms of cleanliness and the condition of facilities and building. The inspectors identified the need for better layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities, and pest control to ensure good food hygiene practices.
In addition to the physical aspects of the restaurant, the management of food safety was also flagged as an area needing major improvement. This includes having systems or checks in place to ensure that the food served is safe to eat, ensuring that staff are knowledgeable about food safety, and maintaining standards in the future. Il Cortile has since responded to these concerns and outlined the steps they have taken to address the issues raised by the inspection.
Rectifying Structural Issues and Improving Refrigerated Storage
The restaurant management has stated that all structural issues highlighted during the inspection have been rectified promptly. Repairs to refrigerated storage were completed the day after the inspection, as planned. The breakdown of multiple fridges on the day and in the days leading up to the inspection resulted in a reduction of chilled storage space, affecting normal procedures due to the high volume of chilled stock that needed to be stored in a limited space. However, these issues were resolved, with repairs completed on August 16, as scheduled before the inspection date.
Impact of Staff Absences on Food Safety Practices
Il Cortile acknowledged that the absence of key staff members, including the head chef and two full-time kitchen team members, due to compassionate leave and other reasons, had a significant impact on their food safety practices. The head chef has since returned, and the kitchen team is now back to normal levels to operate efficiently. The restaurant is also in the process of recruiting additional staff to ensure proper labor planning and support for their food safety procedures.
Commitment to Customer Health and Safety
In response to the low hygiene rating, Il Cortile took to social media to address their valued customers directly. They emphasized their commitment to the health and safety of their patrons and assured them that all issues highlighted in the inspection were promptly addressed. The restaurant has maintained a five-star rating for the past eight years and is determined to uphold its high standards of food quality and safety.
Inviting Customers to Verify Standards
Il Cortile invited customers to visit the restaurant and see for themselves the measures taken to maintain food safety standards. They offered to show interested patrons around the premises and address any questions or concerns they may have. The management team expressed gratitude for the continued support of their customers and reassured them of their dedication to providing the best dining experience possible.
Looking Ahead: Revisit from Warrington Borough Council
The restaurant is currently awaiting a revisit from the Warrington Borough Council to reassess their food hygiene practices. Il Cortile remains optimistic about the outcome of the revisit and is confident in their ability to demonstrate the improvements made since the initial inspection. The restaurant is committed to ongoing compliance with food safety regulations and is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of their customers.
In Conclusion
Il Cortile, an Italian restaurant in Warrington, has proactively addressed the concerns raised by a recent one-star food hygiene rating. The restaurant has taken steps to rectify structural issues, improve refrigerated storage, and address staffing challenges that impacted their food safety practices. Il Cortile remains committed to maintaining high standards of food quality and safety and has invited customers to verify their standards firsthand. The restaurant is awaiting a revisit from the local authorities and is confident in their ability to showcase the improvements made.