FROM school dinners to posh nosh, top class cleanliness at eateries in the area has been celebrated by Central Bedfordshire Council’s food hygiene scheme.
The local authority’s Scores On The Doors initiative rates restaurants and other food spots for hygiene following a programmed inspection.
Seven eateries in Dunstable, Houghton Regis and surrounding villages have been awarded the much-coveted five star rating according to the latest set of scores.
Wild celebrations marked top marks at The Cloisters restaurant at Whipsnade Zoo.
Daniel Everett, functions catering manager at the function suite, said: “This is great news. It is good to know our own high standards are recognised by the council’s team.
“We pride ourselves on producing top quality, competitive fare for occasions of all kinds at The Cloisters and our events staff are a hard-working, professional team.”
And meals at Studham Lower School and St Vincent’s Primary School, Houghton Regis, were rated top of the class – with both schools also notching up five stars.
Headteacher at St Vincent’s, Pauline Cotton, said: “I’m very pleased with the score.
“We’ve just got a new cook who took over at Easter and has had to work around the kitchen being refurbished, but she’s worked very hard and is happy in her new kitchen.
“We are getting a high uptake of school meals so the children obviously like them.”
National chains Sainsbury’s in Luton Road and Subway in High Street North both also scored five stars, as did DW Sports Fitness on the White Lion Retail Park and Sam Pan Foods Ltd in Boscombe Road, Dunstable.
But not every food spot gained glowing reviews – some were panned by food hygiene inspectors.
Dunstable’s Indian restaurants Spice Lounge in West Street and Taste Of India in High Street South both scored zero stars, while China House in Bedford Square, Houghton Regis, was given a similar rating.
And takeaways Hot And Tasty Takeway in High Street North and Dunstable Fish Bar in High Street South also scored zero.
The Gazette tried to contact all five of the zero star eateries, but none were available for comment as we went to press.
A total of 150 food establishments were reviewed in the latest round of inspections, the results of which have just been published online so that the public are aware of hygiene standards at local eateries.
To see how your favourite restaurants fared, visit www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk/council/central-bedfordshire-council