Last updated at 22:01, Thursday, 26 August 2010

THE star of Channel 4’s new TV cooking show has been served a blow after environmental health bosses gave his Keswick bistro a thumbs down.

SERVING UP: Peter Sidwell, left, filming his new television cookery series

Chef Peter Sidwell starts his new show Lakes on a Plate on Monday, September 6, but just two months ago food standards officers visited his Good Taste restaurant and were shocked at poor hygiene standards.

Inspectors visited the Lake Road premises on June 14 and awarded just one star out of five for hygiene.

The kitchen came in for the most criticism in the inspector’s report.

It said: “Cream, coulis and utensils were stored next to an open bin. Food and utensils must not be stored next to an open bin as they could become contaminated.

“Paninis and tomatoes were stored in open containers under the display chiller on the floor.

“The general area was unclean and the tray catching water from the chiller was overflowing.”

The kitchen floor, seals on the fridges, the fan oven, a tin opener, stainless steel benches, containers with dry goods in, window frames, and a microwave were noted as being dirty.

Mr Sidwell has since called in Allerdale council’s environmental team to help put measures in place to resolve issues raised in the report.

A revisit of the premises on June 21 found that some improvements had already been initiated.

Another visit on July 16 showed that practices, cleanliness and structural requirements were much improved.

Mr Sidwell said: “I have been away filming for the new series and during that time standards have dropped.

“The standards were not acceptable.

“I have had problems but, unfortunately for me, when you are the boss you carry the weight of expectation.

“It is a lesson learned for me but nowadays it’s all about the paperwork and less about how good the food is.

“We produced top quality food before the inspection and now it’s even better.

“We have some talented chefs at our restaurant and they haven’t stopped being talented because of this.

“I asked environmental health to come and help us. We needed to improve but the onus should be on common sense and not what boxes you tick.”

Inspectors will revisit Good Taste next month, when Mr Sidwell hopes the improvements carried out will improve the hygiene rating.

Mr Sidwell’s show will be on before Countdown and starts in less than three weeks.

During the series he visits Walla Crag, Hollows Farm in Borrowdale, Honister Slate Mine and a shrimp boat on the Solway Firth.

First published at 19:25, Thursday, 26 August 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk