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.