Head chef and GM sacked over one-star food hygiene rating

The head chef and general manager of the Thames Riviera hotel have been sacked over a one-star food hygiene rating.

Galleon Hotels, which runs the 52-bedroom Thames Riviera hotel in Maidenhead, Berkshire, has recruited a new management team for the property since the result of the inspection by the Food Standards Agency.

The inspection, which took place in September, found "major improvement necessary" in the management of food safety and "improvement necessary" in hygienic food handling, although the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building were found to be "generally satisfactory".

A statement from the Galleon Hotels said it was "extremely disappointed" by the rating and said the hotel was "let down" by the head chef "failing to complete his record keeping up to date for a two week period". A recommendation was also made to make repairs to the kitchen floor.

It said: "The inspector acknowledged in their report that the hygiene of the food was to a good level and the confidence in management was there with the current processes and food hygiene procedures were in place."

Galleon Hotels confirmed new procedures have been implemented at the hotel and its restaurant, the Blue River Café, to ensure full record keeping were not only been carried out, but also audited by the hotel management and senior management from Galleon Hotels' head office. Work has commenced on repairing the floor as recommended by the officer's report and a re-inspection of the property is to take place on 30 November.

The statement continued: "We would like to stress that at no point was there any risk in the production of the food to the public. Had this been the case; a prohibition notice would have been served on the hotel.

Galleon's wider portfolio includes the Park hotel in Teddington, Middlesex; the Bridge hotel in Chertsey, Surrey; and the Olde Bell in Hurley, Berkshire.

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