A restaurant owner has blamed a former chef after receiving a poor food hygiene rating.

The Cotswold Fire & Grill on London Street in Faringdon was handed a one-out-of-five rating by the Food Standards Agency after an assessment on August 9.

The owner, Sacha Jak, admitted the inspection didn’t paint a “good picture” of the restaurant but attributed the poor rating to the restaurant’s former chef.

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But a former worker has defended the head chef, describing him as a "good chef" and claimed the restaurant ownership did not provide proper equipment for the kitchen to run safely.

He did not want to comment on the record for this article.  

The head chef has also been approached for comment. 

A one-out-of-five star rating means that 'major improvement' is needed at the establishment.

Mr Jak said: “That rating was done months ago when we had a chef that wasn’t up to scratch basically.

“It was unfortunate. The Environmental Health inspectors came in when he was in. I would say 80 per cent of the report related to him and his working practices.

“The test is kind of objective so on the day it is a snapshot. On the day we will admit it wasn’t a great picture. Ultimately that is why we got the rating.

Oxford Mail: The restaurant received a one-star food hygiene rating The restaurant received a one-star food hygiene rating (Image: Newsquest)

“The chef has subsequently left. Since then we have a new restaurant manager who has gone through the place with the fine-tooth comb and we have gone through all the recommendations of the health officer.”

The restaurant’s hygienic food handling was rated ‘generally satisfactory’ whilst the cleanliness and condition of facilities and building was given a ‘good' rating.

The management of food safety received a ‘major improvement necessary’ rating.

The restaurant is now waiting for a reinspection.

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Mr Jak added: “We have requested a re-visit, which they have accepted and we have paid for so it could happen anytime in the next few weeks.

“All the staff have their food hygiene certificates. We have proper cleaning schedules and have had the place deep cleaned.

“I can’t fault how the inspection has been conducted because that is the regulatory process.

“Our new restaurant manager has been in a couple of months. She comes with loads of experience and has run branded restaurant chain sites. She comes with high standards and great experience.”

The Food Standards Agency is in charge of inspecting and rating hospitality venues on a zero to five scale.

It is the independent government department working to protect public health and consumers’ wider interest in relation to food in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The inspectors judged the restaurant with regard to hygienic food handling, cleanliness and the condition of facilities as well as management of food safety.