Zero food hygiene rating for Lake takeaway

Lake Kebab and Pizza House, in Sandown Road, Lake, were dropped the bombshell following an inspection by an Isle of Wight Council officer on February 25.

Lake Kebab and Pizza House owner, Bulent Korkmaz, received a zero food hygiene rating from the Isle of Wight Council. Photo: Musa Sen

The food safety officer marked the takeaway down as 'major improvement necessary' in three key areas of the business — hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building, and food safety management.

This relates to food preparation, cooking and storage alongside hand washing facilities, pest control and ensuring that food is safe to eat.

Lake Kebab and Pizza House have a chequered recent food hygine rating history.

Since receiving the zero food hygiene rating in February, Mr Korkmaz says he has worked hard to bring the takeaway up to standard. Photo: Musa Sen

After earning a grade four rating out of five in August 2016, standards slipped dramatically, with a grade one rating in June and a grade two rating in October last year, followed by the recent zero rating.

Through an English speaking friend, the takeaway's owner, Bulent Korkmaz, said: "When the food inspector came in, we'd just had a big delivery, so the place was a mess, with boxes everywhere.

"I put my hands up. It was not up to standard, but 48 hours later, when the inspector made a follow up visit, the place was spotless.

Since receiving the zero food hygiene rating in February, Mr Korkmaz says he has worked hard to bring the takeaway up to standard. Photo: Musa Sen

"Unfortunately, we rent an old building, with water leaking and a ceiling that needs to be repaired. We've already spent over £1,000 on repairs, which the landlord should have done."

Mr Korkmaz's representative said it had been very difficult to operate during the pandemic, with no holiday customers and not being in receipt of any government help, which has made thoughts of any move to an alternate premises financially unviable.

Since receiving the zero food hygiene rating in February, Mr Korkmaz says he has worked hard to bring the takeaway up to standard. Photo: Musa Sen

"We hope to stay open next week after the inspectors make a visit to us on bank holiday Monday — and to have another inspection in the coming months," Mr Korkmaz's representative added.

Mr Korkmaz declined to comment on the zero food hygiene rating received, but his representative said there had been no food poisoning issues connected with the takeaway.

Lake Kebab and Pizza House owner, Bulent Korkmaz.

Scores of dissatisfied customers who have used the takeaway before, have, however, made adverse comments on social media after the results were published today (Saturday).

The owners can appeal the rating and/or request a re-inspection of the premises.