A TOP restaurant hailed as the best in the world by TV celebrity chef James Martin has been given just a one-star hygiene rating by inspectors.
The £468-a-head Michelin-starred Ynyshir restaurant was told it needed “major improvement” after a swoop by the Food Standards Agency.
The 30-course dinner experience takes up to five hours to enjoy at the hideaway restaurant near Machynlleth in the Welsh countryside – and was praised by Saturday Morning presenter James Martin.
The host praised its head chef Gareth Ward, 45, as being one of Britain’s best and called the restaurant “the best place to eat in the world”.
But according to the Food Standards Agency the restaurant received a food hygiene rating of just one out of five following an inspection on November 5.
The “management of food safety” checks states that “major improvement is necessary”.
And in regards to the “cleanliness and condition” of the facilities the report found that “improvement is necessary”.
The hygiene of food handling was found to be “generally satisfactory”.
Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, located near Machynlleth, became Wales’ first ever two-star Michelin restaurant in 2022 after being awarded its first star eight years earlier.
TV chef Martin told the Route podcast: “Gareth Ward, the greatest chef in the UK at the moment, the most talked about chef in the UK at the moment, two Michelin stars at the moment.
“The minute that chap deservedly gets three in February you’re not going to get in, no chance.”
The 53-year-old host added: “It’s my birthday at the end of the month so I’m going to take a little tour up to Gareth Ward, Ynyshir in north Wales, which I think is the best restaurant you’ll eat at anywhere, anywhere in the world, it’s absolutely spectacular.”
Diners can opt for the “full experience” and stay the night for an additional £330 for the cheapest room or £714 for the garden room. The stay includes a “light breakfast” the following morning before check out.
A spokesman for Ynyshir said the venue takes the outcome “seriously” and explained some of its “specialised” cooking methods “differ from conventional kitchen operations”.
He said: “At Ynyshir we take food safety and hygiene extremely seriously and are committed to maintaining the highest possible standards for our guests.
“Following a recent routine inspection by the local authority a number of administrative and procedural actions were identified for improvement.
“We take this outcome seriously and have already addressed these points in full. We are currently working closely and cooperatively with environmental health and have requested an early re-inspection in line with the council’s guidance.
“Ynyshir operates with cooking techniques and processes heavily influenced by Japanese ingredients and methodologies. This approach involves specialised preparation and handling practices that differ from conventional kitchen operations.
“We operate at the highest professional level and are proud to work with some of the finest suppliers and ingredients from across the globe.
“We remain fully confident in our processes, our team, and the safety of our operation.”
