Michelin-Starred Restaurant Ynyshir Regains Top Hygiene Rating
The Welsh restaurant, previously awarded a one-star hygiene rating, has been restored to a five-star rating by inspectors.
Ynyshir, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Wales, has regained its top five-star food hygiene rating after previously being inspected and given a one-star rating. The Welsh establishment has been working with Ceredigion council's environmental health department to address documentation and specialized procedure issues that led to the lower score.
According to a Freedom of Information request by the BBC, the initial one-star rating was attributed to factors including a dirty floor, insufficient hand-washing facilities in certain areas, broken equipment, and an accumulation of dead flies. Ceredigion council stated that its inspections adhere to national standards set by the Food Standards Agency. Between April and December 2025, 90% of inspected premises in the Ceredigion area achieved a food hygiene rating between three and five.
Chef Gareth Ward, who leads Ynyshir, has previously suggested that guidelines for Michelin-starred establishments might need modernization, particularly for kitchens utilizing advanced techniques and cooking with fire. He described facing "persistent challenges" with the council's environmental health department, primarily concerning documentation and a lack of understanding of the restaurant's specialized procedures. Ward also announced plans to introduce fine dining at Aberystwyth Town Football Club.