Criniti’s cops fines from food inspectors
Criniti’s in Woolloomooloo might have a top reputation as a swank eatery but food inspectors aren’t buying into it.
The NSW Food Authority has placed the Italian chain on a “name and shame list”
Indeed, since late last year, the Criniti’s chain has copped ten fines worth more than $8000 at three different locations in Sydney. The total damage bill was created through individual fines of $880 for each of the offences at its Woolloomooloo, Parramatta and Castle Hill venues.
All because it had ignored previous warnings.
Criniti’s has a name for being a dining destination in Sydney and over the years, it has picked up awards.
And the menu is definitely at the premium end with dishes such as the $52 pork ribs.
And it’s been expanding with six outlets in NSW and two in Melbourne.
Criniti’s spokesman Dominic Criniti had an explanation. As he put it, the only infringement involving food happened when too much was loaded into a benchtop fridge on a tray. The pizza flour was stored in sacks near the loading dock, not in a separate container and one of the penalty notices in Parramatta related to a barrier that should have placed between a sink and food prep area.
“The issue at Woolloomooloo was the cleaners didn’t hose under the fridges properly, so the cleanliness of the kitchen under the fridge wasn’t done properly,” Mr Criniti told the Daily Telegraph.
“The prep chopping boards were notified from a previous inspection that there was wear and tear and we needed to change it.
“All these notices are for things that are a sign of the staff in the hustle and bustle.
“We pride ourselves on quality and experience, me and my brother worry more about keeping our kitchen and toilet clean and we always have, we probably focus more there than on the restaurant floor.”
We’ve never had a claim against us of food poisoning or anything.
“We don’t take these things lightly, we are taking it very seriously.”
by Leon Gettler, September 4th 2017
Image - The F
