Chef’s Delight in Lee-on-the-Solent handed food hygiene rating of one after mouse droppings found
Inspectors criticise standard of cleaning
A popular Lee-on-the-Solent cafe has been given a food hygiene rating fate inspectors found evidence of mice in the premises.
Delight’s Cafe in the high street was given the rating following an inspection on October 14 where the standard of the cleaning of the structure was found to be “generally poor”.
A number of issues were highlighted in the Food Standards Agency report including how ready to eat food and raw food was stores, a “food encrusted” tin opener, food safety management records missing, and the last fridge and freezer temperatures being recorded in March 2025.
Inspectors judge eateries in three areas; hygienic food handling; cleanliness and condition of facilities and building; and management of food safety. Chefs Delight Cafe’s hygienic food handling and cleanliness was rated as ‘improvement necessary’ while its management of food safety was rated as ‘major improvement necessary’.
One of the concerns listed in the report was the evidence of mouse droppings. The report stated: “During the visit some evidence of mice was found. Droppings, bedding and gnawing of expanding foam was found as well as nesting material was found in the motor area of the freezer. Due to the level of cleaning carried out on the floor areas and under shelving in the store area, it was difficult to tell whether the evidence found indicates a current infestation.”
When stating that the standard of cleaning was “generally poor” it was commented that the fridge and freezers needed to be defrosted and cleaned, the extraction fan was greasy and the inside of the microwave also required cleaning. The report added that a “thorough deep clean and disinfection” was required.
The cleanliness of the tin opener was also found to be an issue with the blade of the heavy-duty can opener “encrusted with food” which could cause a contamination of the next tin opened.
It was also found that raw food and ready to eat food were stored next to each other which may increase the risk of cross-contamination.
Another issue discovered by the inspectors was missing food safety management records and the fridge and freezer temperature recorders had not been updated for over a year.
Speaking to The News, Chef’s Delight Cafe said that the issues have been resolved and they are waiting for a new extraction fan to be installed next week before asking for inspectors to return.
Chef’s Delight Cafe had 21-days to appeal against the rating before it was released. The hygiene rating can be found at https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/1828675/chefs-delight-cafe.