Celebrity chef’s restaurant hit with one star hygiene rating - ‘major improvements’ needed

Gino D’Acampo’s Liverpool restaurant has been hit with a one star food hygiene rating, after an inspection by the city council’s environmental health officials. Information made available online by the Food Standards Agency, following the assessment on March 28, revealed ‘major improvements’ were needed at the venue at the INNSiDE Liverpool hotel on Old Hall Street.

Usually, a breakdown of scores in three categories - hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building and management of food safety - is published alongside the rating, however, this has not been provided. The one star score means ‘major improvements’ are necessary.

The Old Hall street venue was rated as five out five following an inspection in March 2023, however, this isn’t the first time environmental health officers have raised concerns. In January 2023, the restaurant was also hit with a one star hygiene rating after inspectors found out of date meat and poor standards of cleaning.

A Freedom of Information request made at the time revealed that officers found number of foods in a walk-in fridge with expired use-by dates. The standard of cleaning in the main service kitchen was ‘poor’ and food debris and grease was noted. Two more inspections took place and the restaurant was awarded a three star rating, followed by the five star rating in March last year.

The restaurant said it expected a reinspection will be conducted in the coming weeks. A spokesperson for the business said: “We are extremely disappointed with this rating and do not believe it to be a fair and balanced reflection of the high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and management to be found at our Liverpool restaurant. Grounds for this have been formally raised with the local authority, who during their visit praised the restaurant on its standards of cleanliness, and an immediate request for re-inspection submitted.

“This is anticipated to be conducted in the coming weeks. We are committed to delivering the highest standards of service to our guests, and further to the local authority’s visit in March, the recommended improvements were implemented with immediate effect.

“Thorough audits have since been conducted, with independent expert consultants having confirmed that all necessary food hygiene procedures are in place and being followed. We continue to work closely with the local authority to conclude this matter and look forward to seeing a return to previous high scores in line with our other restaurants, all of which have the highest possible ratings of five.”