A local schoolboy is the youngest person to operate a food business in Dartford.
Aged just 13 at the time of his inspection in April this year, Toby Sears achieved a Food Hygiene Rating of 5 – the highest possible score – for his business Tobias’ Cakery Bakery. As well as keeping his kitchen scrupulously clean and tidy, Toby has demonstrated excellent food hygiene knowledge, has a food safety management system in place and keeps appropriate records.
He bakes at home twice a week to supply The Meeting Place in Sutton-at-Hone Library and the Churchyard Tea Rooms in Dartford with cakes and treats.
Toby’s love of baking runs in the family – his great-grandad owned a bakery and his nan loves to bake.
Toby took his passion to the next level – completing a short baking course at Westminster Catering College and gaining his Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate. He hopes to continue his training and become a patisserie chef, running his own business when he’s older.
Councillor Jeremy Kite, Leader of the Council, said, “Congratulations to Toby on his top rating. The Council is working hard to help raise and maintain the standards of hygiene in the Borough’s restaurants and other food outlets.”
The national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It gives information to customers about the standards of food hygiene found at the business at the time it was inspected by the local authority. You can search for ratings for your local restaurants, takeaway outlets and food shops at www.food.gov.uk/ratings or look out for the green and black sticker displayed in the shop window.