SeaRock, a renowned fish and chip restaurant in Portishead, has addressed the concerns raised after receiving a one-star hygiene rating from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in March. The inspection highlighted significant areas requiring improvement, particularly in hygienic food handling and food safety management.
Owner Ibrahim Canatan explained that the inspection occurred during a brief period of management changes in the kitchen, which temporarily affected their usual high standards. “The inspection on 17 March happened amid a short phase of kitchen management restructuring. This led to a temporary dip in standards, though historically, we have consistently maintained a five-star hygiene rating,” he said.
Canatan assured that SeaRock has taken immediate and decisive measures to rectify the issues. “We have strengthened our kitchen leadership to ensure our operational procedures meet the exceptional quality of our seafood. Every concern raised, especially around labelling and record-keeping, was promptly addressed following the inspection,” he added.
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The FSA evaluates food hygiene based on three key criteria: hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities, and management of food safety. SeaRock received a ‘generally satisfactory’ rating for cleanliness and facility condition but needed major improvements in the other two areas.
To tackle these issues, the restaurant has fully implemented the ‘Safer Food, Better Business’ program and ensured all staff are current with the latest food safety certifications. Canatan is optimistic about regaining their former rating. “We have already applied and paid for a re-inspection by North Somerset Council and are working closely with the Environmental Health Officer. We expect to restore our five-star rating very soon,” he confirmed.
Despite this setback, SeaRock remains a popular dining spot. It has previously earned a Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Award two years running and holds a 4.6 out of 5-star rating on Google, based on 773 customer reviews.