A top Jersey hotel and restaurant has hit out at Environmental Health after being handed its second zero-star hygiene rating in recent years – following an inspection when its kitchen was closed for winter.
Under Jersey’s Eat Safe scheme, a zero rating means a business has failed to meet the standards required under the island’s Food Law.
Rozel-based Château La Chaire was handed the lowest possible score after inspectors visited the premises in March.
In a statement provided to Express, Château La Chaire acknowledged that Environmental Health officers are allowed to inspect food premises at any time, but expressed disappointment about the timing and circumstances of the visit.
“Whilst we understand Environmental Health visits can occur at any time, they did choose once again to visit us unannounced when the business was closed during our usual winter shutdown period earlier this year,” the Rozel hotel said.
Château La Chaire claimed that it did not receive follow-up action points promised by the inspecting officer and that the low rating came without warning.
“Despite the officers’ visit notes stating that the required action points would follow by email, the officer has never actually forwarded those action points at any time and they issued their rating without warning suggesting that their action points were not followed up, hence the severe rating.”
When asked by Express to respond to the hotel’s concerns, the Environment Department declined to comment on the specific case.
A spokesperson said: “All the correct procedures were followed, including a full appeals process.
“The department does not comment on individual cases.”
Château La Chaire said that although it had appealed the decision and received an apology for the lack of action points, its rating was not changed.
“We did appeal and received an apology for the lack of action points from the department which they would use as a ‘future training opportunity’ however our rating remains the same because we failed to meet the required standard at the time of the initial visit which it was pointed out can happen ‘at any time’ regardless of whether the business is open or not,” the hotel said.
The statement added that all issues identified were resolved the same day, and that a new head chef has since been appointed to oversee food safety standards.
“We absolutely always operate to the required standard when open,” said Château La Chaire.
“Perhaps consideration could be given where there has been no operating taking place for an extended period of time and no attempt has been made to operate without adhering to the required standards at the time of the visit.
“We will be requesting a revisit at the first opportunity, which we understand can only happen on request after three months.”
This is not the first time Château La Chaire has challenged a poor food safety rating.
In 2022, it also received a zero-star rating and criticised food hygiene officers for acting in what it described at the time as an “overzealous manner”.
At the time, the Government’s Director of Regulation Kelly Whitehead said the EatSafe team were “rigorous” in their work and always endeavoured to act “proportionately, fairly and consistently”.