A chef has hit back at his former employers after criticism was thrown his way following a low food hygiene rating just weeks after joining.

The Cotswold Fire and Grill on London Street in Faringdon was handed a one-out-of-five rating by the Food Standards Agency after an assessment earlier this year.

The inspection came in August after Casey Hackett joined as the new head chef of the restaurant in June.

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The restaurant received a low rating meaning that 'major improvement' was needed at the establishment.

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

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

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

However, Mr Hackett, aged 30, has fired back claiming the restaurant bosses refused to back his action plan to improve the score, ultimately forcing them to part ways.

He said: “I had written an action plan for the owner of the business.

“The rating is not the big deal. People get low star food hygiene ratings but as long as you action them then that is what the Environmental Health are there for.

“They are not there to judge you. They are there to educate you and improve you as a business to ensure you are serving the best quality that you can.

“The owners didn’t want to take on any information or feedback from them.

“They just had their own views that everything will be fine and they don’t need to make a change.”

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He concluded that “he didn’t want to ruin his reputation as a chef so it was better that we part ways”.

Previously, Mr Jak said: “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.

“The head 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 is now waiting for a reinspection.

Mr Jak added: “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."