Food hygiene standards: Spicy Tadka received 5-star rating

The Spicy Tadka, located at Westminster House, just outside Festival Place, received a five-star food hygiene rating after a recent inspection.

Owner of the restaurant, Gagan Joshi, told the Gazette: "I am quite happy with the new rating, since starting in the restaurant business 10 years ago, we have always had five-star ratings, and we were disappointed when we were downgraded last year."

SEE ALSO: Popular Basingstoke Indian restaurant declared National Curry Restaurant of the Year

The award-winning restaurant was handed a one-star food hygiene rating in January 2023, which was subsequently upgraded to four stars in May of the same year.

Mr Joshi said: "We were not happy with it [the 4-star rating] and we put very high hygiene standards processes in place.

"We have now been awarded a five-star rating by the same council officer who awarded us with one star last year."

Co-owners Ram Ampili and Gagan Joshi (Image: Newsquest)

The latest inspection took place on Monday, January 29.

In October 2023, The Spicy Tadka was named Restaurant of the Year in the South East category of the National Curry Awards, held at the House of Lords in Westminster, London.

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The restaurant specialises in "authentic Indian food with an innovative twist".

Speaking after receiving the award, Mr Joshi told the Gazette: "It's a wonderful feeling, it defined that we are doing something good by serving authentic Indian food in the town of Basingstoke."

Food hygiene ratings, which are conducted by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), give businesses a score from five, hygiene standards are very good, to zero, which means urgent improvement is required.

The handling of food, cleanliness and condition of the building and facilities, and the officer's confidence in the establishment, are assessed by food safety officers.

Readers who wish to find out more about the Spicy Tadka's Food Standards Agency hygiene rating, can do so by clicking here.