Cross-contamination at London’s ‘Halal’ Michelin restaurants

“The restaurant is fully compliant with Halal guidelines. Halal beef is sourced from a reputable and approved supplier. It is delivered in sealed packaging to prevent any risk of cross-contamination and is labelled to ensure full identification and traceability. The meat is stored in sealed packaging so that there is no risk of contact with non-Halal products. Dedicated Halal preparation boards and knives are used at all times.”

“All our products in our main kitchen (different kitchen from Celeste restaurant) are Halal, therefore there is no worry of cross-contamination. In our Celeste kitchen, at the moment we do not have any Halal offering. This is because we have approached game season (which we have in our menu). When Celeste does offer Halal options, then there is no cross-contamination. All our non-Halal products are stored separate from the Halal ones.”

“The meat offered is Halal certified. At Hide we are lucky to have numerous segregated kitchens and many chefs. The Halal food is stored in a separate refrigeration and cooked in a separate kitchen by a chef whose sole responsibility is to look after that table. Hands are washed prior (as is standard practice anyway) and separate utensils are used (again washed prior to use).”

“Having discussed with our team, I can confirm that we have designated storage and prep areas for Halal meat and it would not go into contact with anything else. The places in which the meat is prepared and the utensils used are thoroughly cleaned. However, we do not have a separate Halal kitchen.

“Should a guest request Halal food within one of our restaurants, we can, of course, also order Halal meals from an external caterer which can be brought into any of our restaurants; but would not be prepared by our teams.”

Head Chef Sergio Fonkana has confirmed with us that not only is the Halal meat stored separately, but that the section it is prepared in and the utensils used are always cleaned with soap before being sanitised. The food is cooked separately. And Chef Sergio has assured that there’s no risk of cross-contamination.

Quilon has been personally reviewed by us, where we were granted exclusive access to their kitchen to see their Halal food being prepped and cooked for ourselves. Excluding game meat, which is prepped and cooked separately, their remaining food menu is Halal.

Chef Graham Squire has verified with us that they can provide certificates of the Halal suppliers. The meats are stored separately. They also have a “separate prep area at the back”, with the area and utensils cleaned. The Halal chicken and lamb are cooked in a separate oven too.

They have confirmed with us that only the chicken, lamb and goat are Halal, and are prepped and cooked separately, with no pork being part of the menu.

“We don’t claim to cater for Halal, and we do not offer Halal meat as part of our regular menus. Some of our guests request us to buy Halal meat for them and are made fully aware that it will be prepared and served within our kitchens. On the advice of our health and safety food auditors we have in place a disclaimer form which the diner signs in advance.”

Gymkhana has informed us that only the chicken, lamb and goat are Halal. And while all such dishes are prepped separately, applicable dishes are, however, cooked in the same tandoor oven.

Confirmed by phone that they can no longer cater for Halal due to changes in delivery.

“Ours is an open kitchen and we cannot take responsibility for cross-contamination. In the past, we’ve held exclusive events where those who have arranged this have themselves catered for Halal and Kosher. We wouldn’t try to prepare them ourselves, but would ask that the party or customer arrange for whatever is required to be ordered in.”

“Seven Park Place caters for Halal, but only with a 72-hour notice window as the restaurant would need to purchase Halal meat in advance. They do not have a separate kitchen, fridges or pieces of equipment to cater for Halal preparations, and thus, cannot guarantee cross-contamination.”

“We do not have separate utensils, [but only] for vegetarian or vegan, which are kept only for them. We are a small restaurant without the space to accommodate something like that. All items are thoroughly washed, sanitised and sterilised in between uses. On being notified that we have a Halal guest attending in a few days, I make steps to make sure the menu will work for them. We have a 6 or 9 course menu. With 6 course we have 1 meat course. With the 9 course it is 2 meat dishes. As I understand it, vegetarian and fish and shellfish dishes are permitted as Halal food. Hunted wild game is ok – wild venison or wild game birds. If necessary we will order Halal lamb for a Halal main course, and make a separate Halal gravy to be served with the meat, then roast the meat in a separate pan, rest, carve and serve. [sic]”

“At The Ritz, we do not advertise to be a Halal Restaurant but do our best to accommodate all dietary requirements.

“All the lamb that we serve in The Ritz hotel is Halal certified, but it is not prepared in a Halal environment. If a guest requests Halal chicken, we are able to accommodate this request but it is not prepared in a Halal environment. We are fully transparent to all guests that due to the nature and size of the hotel’s kitchen we do not have a separate area where only Halal meat is prepared.”