September 2010

  • Posted: September 2nd, 2010 - 5:26am by Doug Powell

    Grub Street New York reports the city’s No. 1 restaurant, Le Bernardin, featuring celebrity Top Cheferer Eric Ripert (right, not exactly as shown), received 32 demerits (4 points above the C mark) on an inspection last Friday.

    General Manager David Mancini says he’s expecting a follow-up on the initial “courtesy inspection” in the next week or two and tells us, “As aggressive as the inspection was, I don’t want to make any comment until they come back and reinspect us, and then I’ll probably have a great deal of comment.”

    Failures in the current inspection included:

    • cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation;

    • raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan;

    • sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored; and,

    • plumbing not properly installed or maintained, anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained, and ssewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly.

    Bon appetite.
     

    Your rating: None (1 vote)
  • Posted: September 1st, 2010 - 2:24pm by Ben Chapman

    Author: 
    Ben Chapman

    I've lived in North Carolina for just over 20 months and have yet to see the effects of a hurricane. Snow has shut things down in Raleigh a few times since December 2008, but nothing crazy has happened during the summer months. Our power went out about a month ago after a fire at a nearby power station and although it was 8:30pm, it only took 3 hours without electricity for the temperature in our house to go up about 5 or 6 degrees.

    Living like that for a couple of days is a slight possibility with Hurricane Earl on its way sort of towards us. Fortuntely we're far enough inland that it looks like we wont see the full effect, but many on the coast could find themselves without electricity, dealing with hot temps (close to 100F is forecasted for Friday) and a fridge/freezer full of food. Not fun.

    Having a bit of a plan and prepping for losing power prior to an event can save food losses and reduce foodborne illness risks. That's the focus of the newest food safety infosheet (which can be found here).

    Your rating: None (2 votes)
  • Posted: September 1st, 2010 - 10:51am by Doug Powell

    Nothing says, “I do” like wedding guests barfing and in this case, tragically, one dying after consuming the post-nuptial meal.

    Rene Kwartz, 82, was one of four guests who needed hospital treatment after a meal at a hotel in Prestwich, Greater Manchester.

    Three of those taken to hospital recovered and were discharged but Mrs Kwartz died last week.

    Lawyers representing the guests at the wedding of Stephen Wicks and Jennifer Harris on August 8 are taking legal action against the outside caterers to the function.

    Your rating: None (3 votes)
    Salmonella  |  Comments