A MICHELIN-starred restaurant that is “loved by celebrities” has been slammed by hygiene inspectors after mould was found in the fridge.
The Sportsman in Whitstable has won a number of awards in recent years, including there Best Restaurant by The Good Food Guide last year.
Even famous celebs love it. Daniel Craig, Gary Lineker and possible next James Bond Aaron Paul have been spotted there.
But the much-loved restaurant on Faversham Road has now just dropped from five to two stars in its food hygiene score following a visit by Canterbury City Council.
The inspector reported several problems in the gastropub’s kitchen including “dirt and mould” on the ceiling and walk-in fridge.
They said: “Mould was also inside a door within an under-counter refrigerator”.
Site owner Shepherd Neame said they “took immediate action” following the disparaging report.
Since the visit in February he said staff have taken a number of measures to to address the problems raised and have applied for another inspection.
The quaint pub restaurant was once called one of the best restaurants in the world by chef Max Rocha, who runs London’s Cafe Cecilia.
He told Conde Nast Traveller: “This is my favourite restaurant in the world.
“It really is the best restaurant and ticks all the boxes.”
He raved about it being “fine dining at an accessible price” as well as being “creative but humble.”
He added: “It’s so welcoming when you get there.”
He even said he thought it was “every chef’s favourite restaurant”.
Having reopened back in 2019 when it was taken over, they were awarded the Michelin star in 2008.
Guests can choose between the cheaper midweek menu with three courses for £55.
Otherwise the five-course tasting menu throughout the week is £80 per person.
You can even stay at the restaurant as well, with four en-suite cabins in the garden.
Sleeping two, they include snacks for breakfast as well as tea and coffee, from £160 a night.
One said: “It’s just heaven of a local place.
“Set in a very classic coastal pub feel with not a huge pretentious or fine dining feel so very at ease and not needing to be all dressed up and fancy.”
Someone joked: “I might never in my life again taste bread as spectacular as the bread at Sportsman.”
But Whistable isn’t short of amazing eateries, with one of its most famous being the bright pink Oyster Bar.
Otherwise there is the Neptune pub, one of the few in the UK’s whose beer garden is right on the beach.
One person said on TripAdvisor that it was the “best pub in England” while another said it was “like being away abroad”.
The Sportsman have been approached for comment.