Sydney eateries get scores on doors after name and shame file

Sydney diners fed up with the restaurant name-and-shame file that tells them what places to avoid will now be able to easily spot the good places to eat.

The "scores on doors" scheme launched yesterday by City of Canada Bay Council in Sydney's inner west is set to be the new standard of dining across the state.

Endorsed and organised in conjunction with the NSW Food Authority, the Food Safety Star Rating Project is a voluntary scheme.

The project awards three, four or five stars for the restaurant's level of compliance with the rating, which focuses on food safety.

It was launched yesterday at Aqua Vista restaurant, in the Drummoyne Rowing Club overlooking Iron Cove.

Restaurateur Joe Isaac took over the struggling Aqua Vista seven years ago. His brother Anthony, a well-known hotel chef in Dubai, joined him three years later.

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It's been a battle but the brothers are proud to be one of the first with a five-star rating.

"My first priority must be cleaning and hygiene," Joe Isaac said. "After that the quality will come."

A senior environmental health officer with Canterbury Council for more than a decade, Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas has seen the good, the bad and the downright dangerous.

"It's in the kitchen where all the action happens. But these blokes are doing it tough and anything we can do to support local business is a good thing," Mr Tsirekas said.

The stars of food safety

Canada Bay Council Mayor Angelo Tsirekas launched their Food Safety Star Rating Project yesterday at Aqua Vista Restaurant, Henley Marine Drive, Drummoyne.

While we are familiar with restaurants being rated with chefs hats or scores, now there is an easy to understand and easy to recognize rating system to allow us to make safe food choices; whether we are dining in a restaurant, café, club or pub or buying take-away food.

This ‘scores on door’ program will publicly recognise businesses that make a consistent and serious commitment to food safety. They will be awarded three, four or five stars depending on their level of compliance with criteria, designed to ensure that only the safest businesses receive star ratings.

More importantly, it teaches owners and employees good food practice – something which will stand them and their business in good stead.

I mc’ed the launch which, along with Mayor Angelo Tsirekas, was also attended by Alan Coutts, CEO, NSW Food Authority; Gary Sawyer, General Manager, City of Canada Bay Council plus other councilors and council employees and local Star Rated business owners and representatives

I hope other councils follow Canada Bay’s initiative. Food safety is taken ever more seriously and this Star Rating system is a guarantee to consumers that these food businesses have achieved a pre-determined standard which was independently assessed.

As I mentioned above, the launch was held at Aqua Vista Restaurant, who incidentally have achieved a 5 Star Rating. Executive Chef Anthony Ishak presented a delightful array of canapes, including this one which caught my eye as being not only quick and simple but also impressive. Here is his recipe:

Skewered gnocchi and prawns with pesto

250g potato gnocchi, cooked until al dente, rinsed and drained

500g cooked medium prawns, peeled

Dressing

1 teaspoon pesto

dash Tabasco, or to taste

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Combine dressing ingredients and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add gnocchi and prawns, mix well and set aside for 10 minutes. Thread two gnocchi and one prawn on small bamboo skewers, starting with gnocchi. Serve immediately or make a few hours ahead and refrigerate, however return to room temperature for serving.

Thanks Anthony!