THE owner of an award-winning Indian restaurant that scored zero in a hygiene inspection says he is frustrated at the reason given for the bad rating.
The Mahmaan, in Smalley Drive, Oakwood, received the lowest score after being visited by a food safety inspector on September 16.
The rating was revealed by Derby City Council this afternoon, although the reasons for it have not been made public.
Speaking to the Derby Telegraph, the restaurant's owner Abdul Matin said the "only" reason for the zero rating was the late delivery of poultry products – and vowed to score five out of five when the inspector returns in a few weeks.
He explained: "We had a poultry order come in late, which was unacceptable to the inspector. "She said we shouldn't have poultry arriving as food is being cooked or prepared as it could lead to a contamination.
"That was the only reason we were marked down. We agreed that if the same thing was to happen again, we would send the poultry back and ask for a next day delivery."
The Mahmaan is a popular restaurant and was crowned East Midlands Caterers of the Year at the 2013 Bangladesh Caterers' Association Awards in London.
It was awarded the Derbyshire region Customer Excellence trophy in 2008, and, in 2012, it was nominated for the Derby Telegraph's Indian Restaurant of the Year award.
The awards led to owner Mr Matin saying earlier this year: "We have gradually built a reputation as the hidden gem of Derby and all the hard work has paid off – but we couldn't have done it without our customers."
Mr Matin said it was frustrating that the restaurant had now been hit with a zero hygiene rating.
He said: "It is not a rating that we deserve. When we are re-inspected, I'm expecting us to score five. I wish we could be inspected sooner but the council says three months has to pass before the rating can be changed.
"It's very unfortunate. In the meantime, all our customers are welcome to come and see for themselves that we are not doing anything we shouldn't be doing in the kitchen."
Meanwhile, another Indian restaurant, the Raj in Allestree, is to appeal its rating after receiving a score of one out of five.
Manager Freddy Ahmed said the rating did not make any sense.
He said: I can't believe the score. We were a three and we're better now. So how can they say we're a one? It's a stupid mistake.
"The report has no credibility. She visited on September 10, 2014 but in the report she writes 2012 - twice. The report is all over the place and, for me, is unreliable so we are challenging it."
Mr Ahmed showed the Derby Telegraph a copy of the report. It said cleaning standards had been "very poor" but that "improvements" had been made by the inspector's follow-up visit, eight days later.
As such, the inspector said no action would be taken against the restaurant.
Mr Ahmed insisted his restaurant was clean and that it posed no risk to customers.
He said: "The inspector picked up on minor things. All areas where food is prepared are clean, that's the important thing.
"We have a small hole in the wall to chuck water through after we've cleaned. She said it was big enough to let pests in. But the hole has always been there and previous inspectors have not said it is a problem.
"I can't understand why we're being penalised for it now. It's very frustrating.
"Our food and hygiene is up to scratch. Anyone – including customers - is welcome to come and see the kitchen for themselves."
The Raj hit headlines last year after more than 4,000 people signed petitions against plans for the building, which is owned by Central England Co-operative, to be turned into a shop.
The Co-operative had applied to Derby City Council for permission to convert the building into a shop in November but backed down following the campaign.
However, it has applied again for permission, and Mr Ahmed said the restaurant's owners had earmarked another site for the eatery to move to – the former Arjee Bhajee restaurant at nearby Park Farm.
But he said the cost of the move coupled with the amount recently spent on its current home could threaten some of the 15 jobs at the restaurant.
"It's still up in the air," Mr Ahmed said. "Nothing for sure has been decided."
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