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A vineyard that's played host to royalty, rock stars and Hollywood A-listers is reeling from a poor hygiene rating.
Popular Waiheke Island restaurant and vineyard Stonyridge received a D grade after an Auckland City Council inspection last month.
Stonyridge manager David Jackson said the grading was due to the dishwashing area being "below standard" but was upset the inspector would not wait for renovations that would resolve the problem.
"We are very embarrassed. We've always had an A and B rating ever since the cafe started, and we just see this as an enormous overreaction.
"We've a chef here with over 20 years experience of food hygiene and to be shafted like that is not really sitting well with us."
The restaurant is due to reopen next month after the renovations. The D grade does not apply to the wine tasting cellar, which remains open.
Jackson said he could not apply for a re-grading for at least two months but has sent the council a letter of objection and is awaiting a response.
Stonyridge - which featured in a British newspaper's list of 10 must-visit wineries last year - has hosted actor Russell Crowe, Princess Michael of Kent and singer Alanis Morissette.
Closer to home, it is also a favourite of former newsreader John Hawkesby and TV host Brooke Howard-Smith and as a venue for dance parties and weddings.
All businesses that provide food must display a graded licence so customers can see it before entering.
Council officers around the country carry out random hygiene inspections at least once a year.
Some issue certificates of compliance rather than grades.
In Auckland, an A grade means the establishment is of a superior standard, and B that it has met minimum statutory requirements but has room to improve.
Auckland and Waitakere City Councils do not have C grades, to avoid them being seen as "pass" marks. North Shore City Council does, meaning there are some concerns about food safety practices.
A D grade means the premises are below standard, and an E that they are well below standard.
Any premises given an E grade in Waitakere are shut down immediately, prosecuted and not permitted to reopen for at least two months and until all major faults are rectified.
Auckland Regional Public Health Service medical officer Greg Simmons said he supported the ratings.
"I think the consumer has a right to know if the set-up of a food premise, particularly the kitchen area which may not be visible to patrons, is of a reasonable level."
Stonyridge is not the only high-profile establishment to get a bad grade from Auckland City Council.
Two businesses on trendy Ponsonby Rd - The Musket Room bar and Rivet cafe - received D grades last November but will be reassessed after being taken over by new owners.
High-profile chains are no guarantee of a high grade. One of the two Tank Juice Bars in St Lukes mall slipped from a B grade last year to a D grade in February.
Tank Juice director Mathew Nooyen says management issues led to the low grade, and he would be applying for a new inspection.
"A lot of times it's unjustified completely. We just sell fruit juice. We just deal with fruit. We don't even deal with meats and chicken. The shop's fine. It's in good nick now."
Nooyen said inspectors only ever got a "snapshot" but Simmons said businesses "don't get a D for nothing".
"I certainly wouldn't be eating at the E rated facilities - no way! D is not much better than an E."
A new national Food Control Plan being launched tomorrow aims to help businesses produce safe food.
Operators will receive a step-by-step guide to food safety procedures, with tips for managing food safety.
The plan is voluntary until a new Food Act is adopted.
Inspections aim to reduce cases of food poisoning-related illnesses.
Some medical professionals believe food poisoning may be one of the most common causes of illness, but causes and outbreaks are not recognised, diagnosed and are under-reported.
* Below standard
Businesses with D and E grades from the Auckland City Council.
Avondale:
D: Corner Bakery, Mohammeds Halal Meats
CBD:
D: Khyber Tandoori Indian Restaurant
E: Cafe Savoy, Coral Reef Chinese Restaurant, Heng Kee Food
Mt Albert:
D: Design Cafe
St Lukes:
D: Tank Juice Bar (upper level)
Mt Eden:
D: Fu Yuan Food Ltd
Mt Roskill:
D: Tofu Shop Ltd, Xin Ya Chinese Restaurant and Bar
E: Home Occupation
Mt Wellington:
D: Brumby's Bakery, Drop In Superette, Shiping Bakery
Newmarket:
E: Steamboat Factory, The Meat Boss
Newton:
D: Choice Bakery, Crazy Crust, Jun Joo Restaurant
Onehunga:
D: Church Street Lunch Bar Bakery, Gourmet Restaurant
Otahuhu:
D: 303 Cafe, Empire Confectionery, Kamal Sweets and Snacks, Soung Yueen, Tasty Foods
E: Singh's Int Foods NZ Ltd, T & A Superette, Tim's Takeaways
Panmure:
D: Panmure Mini Mart, Seeto's Food Bar
Penrose:
D: Munchin Junction
Pt Chevalier:
D: Shangri-La Restaurant
Ponsonby:
D: Rivet, The Musket Room
Waiheke Island:
D: Stefano's Ltd, Stonyridge Vineyard, The Humble Pie Co.
