Mehdi Karimian, who runs Medici’s restaurant in North Ferriby, appeared at Beverley Magistrates’ Court yesterday to answer the charges, which related to a routine visit by food safety inspectors last year. The court heard how on July 29 inspectors found an accumulation of “dirt and grease” across the walls, ceiling and floors of the restaurant kitchen.
Structural issues left food at risk of contamination and the inside of a freezer lid was found to have a build-up of mould. The kitchen ceiling was discoloured from an accumulation of grease and a chopping board used to prepare food was found to be “worn and dirty”.
Mr Karimian was not present at the restaurant on the day, but met with inspectors when they visited again the next day. The levels of dirt and grease were deemed to be so deeply ingrained that the owner was advised to close the restaurant temporarily while the premises was professionally cleaned as it was thought to be beyond the capabilities of his staff.
He blamed the shortcomings on his workers and chef, who he had handed over the day-to-day running of Medici’s to as he recovered from a serious operation on his ankle.