Poor standards at college training restaurant

A college restaurant teaching the chefs of the future has been snared by food inspectors.

T h e m a j o r embarrassment comes just six months after the opening of The Inver .

It’s perched on the top floor of Ayrshire College with sweeping views over the River Ayr.

And the public are encouraged to come in every day and enjoy the offerings of the students.

But a swoop made by environmental health officers from South Ayrshire Council was made on May 4.

The res taurant - declared open by Ayrshire food king Bill Costley in November - is now closed until the new term.

The head of hospitality at the Ayr Campus site has now been warned about food handling practices.

Inspectors say the kitchen failed to main adequate food safety and this has given “cause for concern.”

A n o f f i c i a l improvement required notice has now been served on the college.

Inspectors found a batch of pate made by the students had not been monitored to ensure it had reached a safe temperature capable of killing bacteria.

Chopping boards for raw food were only washed with detergent and not disinfectant after use which is stipulated in Cooksafe procedures.

The ice cream making machine was sitting on the raw food prep surface which is a contamination risk.

Raw and ready to eat foods were using the same vacuum packing and cling film for raw and ready foods were stored together.

T h e e l e c t r i c f l y zapper was above food equipment , posing contamination risk.

And despite other sinks being available, salad leaves were being washed at the raw meat sink.

An Ayrshire College spokesman said: “The College will work with South Ayrshire Council’s Environmental Health department to take the necessary actions to comply with Food Hygiene Regulations and the improvement notice issued after a recent visit.”