Some of the Suffolk businesses recently handed five-star food hygiene ratings, with locations in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury and more
When choosing a restaurant or picking a takeaway, you probably want to know if you are in safe hands in terms of quality and hygiene.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) works with local authorities to enforce food safety rules and award star-ratings to businesses, giving residents an indication of the cleanliness and hygiene.
Here's a list of some of the Suffolk eateries handed the maximum five-star rating after recent inspections.
Gee Gee’s Wine Bar – Newmarket
For our first entry we find ourselves at this bar in Newmarket.
Gee Gee’s was handed a five-star rating by the FSA after an inspection on June 6.
Reviewers praised the business, awarding it a good rating in all three categories – hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building and management of food safety.
Bonbon – Ipswich
This family-run business in Ipswich’s Butter Market was visited by the FSA on June 15 – shortly after it moved into the old Patisserie Valerie from its old home a few doors down.
Inspectors said its hygienic food handling was very good, while cleanliness and condition facilities and management of food safety were good.
It was given a five-star rating.
Zeera – Bury St Edmunds
This Indian takeaway in Hardwick Shopping Centre welcomed inspectors on June 30.
All three categories – hygienic food handling was good, cleanliness and condition facilities and management of food safety – were considered good.
It was handed a five-star rating.
The Fat Cat – Ipswich
Back to Suffolk’s county town, we will find this pub in Spring Road.
The Fat Cat was awarded the maximum five-star rating after an inspection on August 3.
The FSA showered praise on the popular local.
All three marking criteria were considered to be very good.
Butt & Oyster – Chelmondiston
Outside Ipswich, on the Shotley peninsula, you’ll find this pub famous for its beer garden and view of the River Orwell.
The Butt & Oyster, at Pin Mill, outside Chelmondiston, was handed a five-star rating On September 15.
The Swan Inn – Lawshall
This pub in Lawshall was handed a five-star rating after an inspection on September 22.
All three categories – hygienic food handling was good, cleanliness and condition facilities and management of food safety – were considered good.
Bar 23 – Rendlesham
The FSA also gave heavy praise to this bar in Rendlesham, near Woodbridge.
Bar 23 was handed the maximum five stars after an inspection on September 23.
In all three categories – hygienic food handling was good, cleanliness and condition facilities and management of food safety – it was ranked as very good.
Black Horse Inn – Thorndon
Hopping north now, we’ll find our next entry in Thorndon, near Eye.
Reviewers gave the Black Horse Inn a five-star rating after a visit on October 13.
The FSA said hygienic food handling was good, cleanliness and condition facilities and management of food safety were all considered good.
Courtyard Tap – Sudbury
Also in Sudbury, Courtyard Tap – which opened last month – was also given a five-star food hygiene rating.
The micropub, in Gainsborough Street, was praised by the FSA on October 18.
Cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building as well as management of food safety were considered very good.
Meanwhile, hygienic food handling was rated as good.
Horse and Groom – Sudbury
To Sudbury now, where we find our next entry.
The Horse and Groom, in East Street, welcomed FSA inspectors on October 24.
All three categories – hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition facilities and management of food safety – were rated as good by the FSA.
It was also handed a five-star rating.
Understanding the ratings
The hygienic food handling category includes the preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage of foods.
Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building relates to the restaurant itself, including having appropriate layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control, to enable good food hygiene.
The management of food safety category relates to systems or checks in place, including paperwork, to ensure food sold or served is safe to eat, as well as evidence that staff know about food safety.
