Popular restaurant fined for “revolting” breaches of the food act
Lambs on Lygon St director Stephen Yannoulidis has fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to answer for multiple breaches of the food act.
The Carlton institution had been ordered to close after dead mice, cockroaches and rat droppings were found in the restaurant. However, the venue kept operating despite the closure notice.
Health inspectors swarmed the popular Lygon St eatery following complaints to Melbourne Council that mice and cockroaches were “observed”.
Inspectors ran comprehensive checks over the restaurant between August 2022 and March last year and uncovered “revolting” conditions throughout food preparation and customer service areas.
They found “evidence” of “live pest activity” and also dead mice, “mature” cockroaches, rat droppings and rodent faeces near or where raw food was prepared.
A dead cockroach was also found in a cocktail shaker at the venue’s bar. Rodent faeces were all over the venue including in the cool room near raw onions.
Food and grime buildup on a rotisserie spit holder was also reported, as well as dirt and grime throughout the kitchen and food preparation areas.
A kitchen door leading to the street was was not supervised nor “pest proof”.
The restaurant was ordered to close down to rectify its issues on March 10 2023 and display the food act closure notice in a prominent position.
Yannoulidis kept the business running for a week after he was told to close and failed to display the notice where it could be easily seen.
Defence argued Yannoulidis “took his eye off the ball” due to personal reasons, the Covid pandemic and lack of staff, with lawyers arguing his business would suffer financially if his offending was exposed in the media.
“There will be publicity, it would appear, that will be a significant punishment in itself …” the defence submitted.
“It’s not a perfect world, there are always pests and it’s all about taking the proper steps to try and mitigate and minimise the risks …
“He didn’t sit on his hands, he dealt with it (pest eradication) … although he was engaging in pest control clearly he didn’t engage them sufficiently, not enough was being done …
“The deceased rodent … that was found on the premises was of course deceased because of pest eradication but it then needs to be removed …
“If the pest eradicators weren’t removing the deceased rodents then it was up to (Yannoulidis) or his staff and this (rodent) was just missed …”
Yannoulidis, who has operated the business since 1981, will keep Lambs on Lygon St open for business.
Magistrate Michael Gurvich called the breaches “revolting”.
“I note the prosecution submits there were persistent breaches over a period of time and this was not an isolated incident.
“The defendants continued to trade despite the order (to close) … health and safety is critical in these sorts of matters … in the food service industry …
“(The defence conceded) the public is interested in ensuring that food outlets are hygienic …
“In my view, the defendants do understand that these breaches of the food act are simply unacceptable …
“The breaches, in my view, are revolting, the public is entitled to a proper level of hygienic food service and to safely assume that is the case …
“The continuation to trade, despite being ordered not to, was of some concern … I accept … the defendants have taken the matter seriously and they have rectified the breaches …
“Consequently there are good prospects of rehabilitation …”
Proceedings ended with a $25,000 fine each for the restaurant and its owner, along with $7727.50 in court costs to be paid. No conviction was recorded.
Jonathan Jackson, 17th July 2024
