Small business - Kitchen inspection in 30 mins, very anxious

[wewillalwayshaveparis]

Just venting really.

I've recently started a food side hustle and have got my inspection in 30 mins.
I always keep on top of the kitchen and make sure everything is clean and I wear the appropriate protective gear, but I can't help but feel super anxious.
A bunch of paperwork have to be checked, on top of some materials I had to buy, and I'm scared I might have forgotten something or scared that my idea of a clean kitchen is not up to par with their expectation.

I'm really hoping for a good rating. On top of gaining people's trust and obviously appearing credible, this this would also allow me to expand my business to Deliveroo.

Do you or anyone you know run a food business? How did your inspection go?

Thank you

The main thing is that you and open and honest and polite to the food inspector. They genuinely want to help and just make sure you are doing everything by the book. I assume you’ve taken food hygiene courses?
big hugs I know these things are stressful

What type of food is it? I used to be a restaurant manager so can answer any specific questions if it helps?

Thank you for your reply and kind words.
Yes I have, I took the Level 2 course in food hygiene and safety

It's North African/Arab food.
Thank you so much for offering to help, how rare or common are 4 and 5 stars in hygiene ratings?

Our family went through it when we started selling hot food etc from our family "corner shop" many years ago. We "failed" on flooring, work surfaces and walls - they wanted to see "smooth" easily cleanable floors, walls and surfaces, i.e. stainless steel surfaces and stainless steel wall "splashbacks", and they wanted smooth/hard flooring rather than embossed lino/vinyl.

Everything else was fine, such as the utensils, different coloured chopping boards/knives, separate sinks for hand washing and washing up, separate fridges and freezers instead of a fridge/freezer, storage of different foods on different shelves of the fridge, meat at the bottom etc to prevent dripping.

It really depends on where you are based, central london the food inspectors can be very tough, for good reason, lots of it is about training and managing staff to be at the same levels.
main things are cooking and cooling of foods.
I hope it goes well for you. Just make sure you implement any requests they make.
Fridges should be spotless, make sure everything is dated and rotated. Cleaning products in a specific area away from food. Show that you have the systems in place to do everything safely.
Good luck :)

Thank you all for your messages and your tips.
They'll be there any minute now.
I'll keep you posted

she's here!

How did it go?

I got a 4 star =)
I'm really happy with it. Feel they were very understanding because there was quite a bit of paperwork missing but they still gave me a four

Excellent news. We'll done

Thank you so much xx

Well done!

Well done 👏 Keep cooking and prosper.

Thank you xx

Fabulous