Tim’s BBQ Kitchen: Shock photos reveal restaurant’s food hygiene breaches

Disgusting photos have revealed what confronted food hygiene inspectors during a visit to a restaurant on Sydney’s north shore.

Shock photos have revealed what confronted council inspectors during a visit to a Sydney fast food outlet including raw food stored next to cooked meat and other food products stored on the ground.

Tim’s BBQ Kitchen on Victoria Ave in Chatswood has been issued fines totalling $1760 after food compliance officers from Willoughby Council inspected the venue on November 30.

The food safety breaches, which were published on the NSW Food Authority website last week, included failing to store food in such a way that it is protected from the likelihood of contamination, and failing to maintain easily accessible hand washing facilities.

A photo showing dry foods stored under and next to processing ducks.

The restaurant was fined $860 for each offence and had received previous warnings for the both food safety breaches during past council inspections.

Photos taken during the November inspection showed food was found stored on the floor, other food items were left uncovered, and hand washing basins were seen to be obstructed.

Food was also seen stored in contact with processing ducks, and raw food was found stored next to cooked meat.

A photo showing boxes of raw duck stored next to cooked meat

A photo showing pots of food stored on a cool room floor.

A council spokeswoman said: “These conditions increase the risk of food being exposed to potential contamination.”

The North Shore Times contacted Tim’s BBQ Kitchen’s management for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

The fines come as recent figures showed Chatswood earned the unenviable ranking as the postcode with the most number of venues fined with 14 issued infringements 2021.

Willoughby Council partly attributed the large number of fines in the suburb to high inspection rates by council staff.

Inspections of the region’s eateries are part of the council’s ongoing compliance program to ensure local businesses are safe and attractive for residents and visitors.

A photo taken during the inspection.

A photo showing food stored on the floor and containers of processing food on the floor.

“Council has consistently maintained a strong commitment to protecting the health and safety of consumers of food purchased at registered food businesses in the busy Chatswood CBD and other suburban locations,” the council said.

“Council uses a combination of education and enforcement to encourage compliance with the minimum standards prescribed by the Food Standards Code.”

Tim’s BBQ specialises in Chinese cuisine and includes a menu offering items such as jellyfish and pork hock, duck wings, and cuttlefish.