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Rowdy Burgers & Desserts

Burger bar slammed after chef seen wiping hands on dirty tea towel

A BURGER bar has come under fire after a chef was seen wiping his gloved hands on a dirty tea towel after touching raw beef mince.

Rowdy Burgers & Desserts, in Deptford Church Street, Deptford, told the Lewisham Letter that the chef had made a “mistake” and that staff have now undergone further food safety training.

A Lewisham Council food hygiene inspector handed the restaurant a 1 out of 5 food hygiene rating after the inspection in October.

The inspector wrote: “I observed the chef handle raw beef mince, then wipe his gloved hands on a dirty tea towel and then go on to another task.”

The report said this increased the risk of cross-contamination. It added that staff also used dirty cloths to wipe down food preparation surfaces.

Rowdy Burgers & Desserts
PICTURED: A chef was seen wiping his gloved hands on a dirty tea towel after touching raw meat

The inspector warned that staff had poor allergy and food safety knowledge.

They also said the menu advertised “dry aged beef” when in reality the invoice just said “beef”.

“It is misleading and a criminal offence not to provide what is stated on the menu,” the report noted.

However, the boss of Rowdy Burgers & Desserts said he checked with his supplier over the phone and they confirmed he is getting is dry aged beef mince.

He also denied that his staff lack knowledge about allergies, adding: “On that specific day (of the inspection) we had a new trainee working and he didn’t know all the things.”

And he said the restaurant had since replaced its dirty cloths with blue paper rolls.