Health & Safety Update (June 2010)

'Supper Club' Restaurants Face Legal Action

A 'supper club' restaurant in Royston has been warned it is breaking the law, and could face prosecution.

Although the organisers of the establishment say they are just a supper club where meals are paid for by customer donations, and the bring-your-own alcohol policy exempts them from needing a liquor license, health bosses from North Hertfordshire District Council say they could still take them to court.

Supper clubs, as they are known in America, are the latest trend to jump the Atlantic and take off across the UK.

They are a cross between a restaurant and a dinner party where hosts invite strangers into their home for a meal and the bill, as well as the tip, is left at the customer's discretion – a concept popularised by the TV show Restaurant in Our Living Room.

Professional chef Susan, who prefers not to reveal her real name, started the club in her Royston home in November and is constantly booked out for her gourmet 'pay what you like' parties every fortnight.

However, Alan Sills, manager of North Hertfordshire District Council's commercial environmental health team, says owners of secret restaurants face prosecution.

"Anyone who wishes to serve food to members of the public needs to register beforehand with the council's environmental health department," he said. Registration will allow us to help them comply with the law and provide food safety information. Anyone not registered who is clearly providing food to the public, whether money changes hands or not, is failing to comply with this requirement. The sanctions imposed would range from written warnings up to prosecution."

Contact our 24/7 Advice Service or your consultant if you are serving food regardless of whether you charge for it or not.