World · Europe · 5 hrs ago
Ynyshir chef defends kitchen after hygiene rating controversy
Gareth Ward, head chef and co-owner of Ynyshir, has defended his team after the restaurant’s low food hygiene rating drew attention.
The restaurant is near Machynlleth in Wales and became the first in the country to earn two Michelin stars, in 2022.
Inspectors gave Ynyshir one out of five after finding issues including inadequate hand-washing facilities and broken equipment that could risk contamination.
Ceredigion council also ordered the restaurant to stop serving raw lobster after finding significant hazards had not been properly identified.
A later inspection restored its five-star rating after the council said the business had addressed the issues.
Ward says his team goes beyond standard safety requirements, while acknowledging that the restaurant had done some things wrong.
The dispute highlights the challenge of assessing a kitchen that serves raw food and uses methods Ward describes as unusual.
Ynyshir head chef and co-owner Gareth Ward has defended the restaurant after it received a food hygiene rating of one.
Ward said his team goes beyond the required rules to keep food safe and described his kitchen as spotless.
The restaurant received a five-star rating after a reinspection, and Ceredigion council said it had addressed all matters identified in the original inspection.
Inspectors had cited significant hazards and issues including a dirty floor, inadequate hand-washing facilities in some areas and broken equipment.
Ward said the restaurant serves raw food and uses specialised procedures, and that it had made some mistakes but did not deserve everything it was accused of.
- Who
- Gareth Ward, head chef and co-owner of Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms.
- What
- Ward defended his team and kitchen after the restaurant’s low food hygiene rating drew scrutiny.
- When
- The articles were published on 29 and 30 October 2026. The initial inspection was on 5 November the previous year.
- Where
- Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, near Machynlleth, Wales.
- Why
- The restaurant received a food hygiene rating of one after inspectors identified food safety, cleanliness and facilities concerns.
Ynyshir restaurant
Food inspectors and Ceredigion council
Food safety assessment
Ynyshir restaurant
Ynyshir said its specialised techniques were safe, compliant and appropriate.
Food inspectors and Ceredigion council
Inspectors identified significant hazards and rated food safety management as needing major improvement.
Inspection findings
Ynyshir restaurant
Ynyshir described the issues as minor and said they were rectified immediately and in full.
Food inspectors and Ceredigion council
Inspectors also identified a dirty floor, inadequate hand-washing facilities in some areas and broken equipment posing a contamination risk.
The Food Standards Agency inspection found concerns and the restaurant received a food hygiene score of one out of five.
Ynyshir said it took the outcome seriously and explained that some cooking methods differed from conventional kitchen operations.
A reinspection gave the restaurant a five-out-of-five rating.
Ceredigion council reinstated the five-star rating, saying the business had addressed all matters identified during the original inspection.
- Chef
- Gareth Ward
- Restaurant
- Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, near Machynlleth
- Initial hygiene score
- One out of five
- Reinspection score
- Five out of five
- Michelin stars
- Two, first awarded in Wales to Ynyshir in 2022
3 sources
What people are saying
We have done some things wrong, but we don't deserve everything [we were accused of]
There's nothing in there that's amateurish. I run a spotless kitchen
It's just, we dare to be different.
conclusively confirmed that our techniques are safe, compliant and appropriate