Michelin-starred restaurant slapped with shock one-star hygiene rating gets its 5 stars back after defiant chef hit out

A MICHELIN-starred restaurant that was slapped with a one-star hygiene rating has gotten its five stars back after its defiant chef hit out at critics. The Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms became Wales’ first ever two-star Michelin venue in 2022 after being awarded its first star eight years earlier. Gareth Ward, head chef and owner of Ynyshir in Wales, hit out at inspectors after being hit with a poor hygiene rating Credit: WNS But the establishment was slammed by inspectors following a visit to the site in November, who said “major improvement” was necessary and gave it a paltry one-star for hygiene. A 30-course dinner experience at the hideaway restaurant, near Machynlleth in the Welsh countryside, will set you back £468-a-head takes up to five hours to enjoy. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Co-owner and head chef of the restaurant, Gareth Ward, defended Ynyshir’s poor hygiene rating, saying: “I’m not embarrassed by it, I’m not upset by it.” He accused inspectors of not understanding his restaurant and insisted the way he prepared food was simply “different” to other establishments. The venue has since redeemed itself, however, after making the required improvements “immediately”. After a reinspection in February, the council’s officers raised Ynyshir’s hygiene rating to five – the highest available. Inspectors rated the “hygienic handling of food including preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage” as ‘very good’ and rated it as ‘good’ in other areas like cleanliness and the management of food safety. The council said: “During the revisit, officers were satisfied that the business had addressed all matters identified during the original inspection and had achieved the standards required to attain the top rating.” Most read in Money In the full food hygiene report from November, seen by The Times, Ynyshir was found to have a rug hanging on the kitchen wall that could not be properly cleaned. Inspectors also found it did not to have the right checks in place to serve raw lobster, and staff were also found not to be cooking cod at the right temperature or for the right amount of time. Comment now