A HIGH Wycombe restaurant has received the second lowest possible food hygiene rating.

The Chilterns Fox received a score of one, indicating a major need for improvement.

Located on Ibstone Road, the restaurant and bar was inspected on March 14, 2024. 

Despite aspects like hygiene handling of food receiving a satisfactory evaluation, the restaurant faltered in building the food safety officer's confidence in its operations.

"The food safety officer’s confidence in the establishment, which CAN include the checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat and that staff are knowledgeable about food safety was in need of major improvement," according to the report.

An integral part of this low rating revolved around the inspection team's lack of confidence in the establishment's ability to consistently ensure safe food.

In terms of clean facilities and appropriate building layout, the restaurant was generally deemed satisfactory.

Measured against the distribution of hygiene ratings in Ibstone, The Chilterns Fox sits amongst the lower ranking 0.6 per cent of all establishments that also carry a rating of 1.

Comparatively, the majority of establishments in the area, a staggering 68.6 per cent, have achieved the highest rating of 5. 

Food hygiene ratings are important in the UK.

They're visible in establishment windows and online, offering patrons an insight into an organisation's hygiene practices.

Rigorously created via unannounced council inspections, these ratings yield critical information about food handling, cleanliness, and management at the establishment.

Ratings range from 0, for premises in need of urgent refinement, to 5, for those that are immaculate.

Informed decisions about where to eat can be life-saving, as good hygiene practices minimise the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Hence, The Chilterns Fox will be looking to improve its hygiene practices in light of this rating to regain consumer confidence.