RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Great Season's Bistro and fine catering offers unique, homemade meals at 11400 West Huguenot Road in Bon Air. "You can taste the quality in your dish, from chicken cordon bleu to my version of chicken picada with peaches and capers," said executive chef Ray Penkalski.
After Great Season's had 4 critical violations on a health inspection, Penkalski showed us they are fixed, and even admitted his own mistake. "I washed my hands and accidentally used my apron to dry it off, something that's not supposed to be done because there is food on our aprons. And we do have paper towels next to our hand sinks with the proper signs for hand washing."
Penkalski showed us they keep foods at proper temperatures with a thermometer he carries in his sleeve. And he showed us how they keep the slicer clean.
"She had found some debris under here that should have been cleaned up a little better. So we detail it each day. It's someone's duty, who ever gets done using the slicer," he said.
Violations were corrected during the inspection, he says, because they care.
"The love and passion that goes into our food, and the care that we take and the pride that we have in our restaurant," said Penkalski.
Inside Richmond International Airport, Applebee's had 6 critical violations. The report says there was no sanitizer in the bar dish machine. The restaurant had all violations fixed for a perfect score on a follow-up the next week.
Applebee's sent us a statement saying, "We took quick and appropriate action related to the health inspection demonstrated by the follow-up inspection in March that showed all items had been resolved. We take a great deal of pride in our standards and food safety is our top priority. In fact, all of our food service workers have completed training in proper food safety and handling, and we have processes in place to monitor equipment and food storage, preparation and handling by our staff. In any food service establishment - from national chains to the top rated restaurants in the world, occasional issues may arise. The standards we are meeting are very high, essentially the very best practices for food safety, and we are committed to continue to meet those standards to ensure the health and safety of our guests."
Famous Dave's Restaurant at 10085 Brook Road in Henrico is about to get a little more famous. They win this week's NBC12 Hall of Fame Award for getting perfect scores on their last four inspections.
Matthew Fernandez with Famous Dave's attributes their success to, "constant talk with the staff just to make sure you maintain it through every shift. The cleanliness back there is the most important thing we can do."
NOTES: New restaurant Conch Republic Rocketts opens tonight for dinner at Rockett's Landing. Chez Foushee will start serving Saturday lunch and Sunday brunch starting on Mother's Day.
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