An Oxford restaurant has been fined £17,000 for the filthy
conditions in which its food was prepared. The Liasion Chinese Restaurant in Castle Street was reviewed
favourably by Cherwell just two weeks ago, which admired its
“mess and fun.” Upon hearing about the prosecution one
student regular vowed never to eat there again, despite promises
from the management that standards had long since improved. Environmental Health Officers inspecting the establishment in
July 2003 found numerous serious breaches of Food Safety
Requirements. Cooked egg fried rice, cooked noodles and pork meat
were being stored outside in an alleyway, with no protection from
contamination. Mould and cobwebs were found on the roof covering
this food. Inside the restaurant the walls were smeared with
grease and the floor covers were torn and hard to clean. A set of
cracked, broken weighing scales and a rusty tray were used for
food preparation and storage. Charles Tsang, owner of the restaurant, pleaded guilty to
seven offences under food safety regulations. He was charged
£17,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 court costs. Tsang, who has extensive business intersts in Oxford, told
Cherwell that hygiene had long since greatly improved: “I am
the Managing Director of the company, and I sacked the manager of
the restaurant on the day of the inspection. We’ve changed a
lot since then and they wouldn’t prosecute me now.” He
was also keen to point out that he was very wellknown and
respected in the Chinese food trade. Questioned about the financial implications of the hefty fine,
Tsang said that he was seeking new legal advice. “I
don’t want to say anything yet,” he said, “but I
may fight back.” The damage to the restaurant may be even
more costly. One Christ Church undergraduate, said that he was
“very, very shocked” by the news. “I used to go
there a lot with my parents,” he said, “I won’t
now.” This publication had no such reservations. Just two weeks ago
Cherwell extolled the virtues of this small restaurant. “It
is so refreshing to find a restaurant in Oxford that is truly
authentic,” it was decided. “Socially this is top draw;
with lots of mess and fun.”ARCHIVE: 3rd week TT 2004
Skanky food sees Chinese fined
