Popular Lygon Street eatery Lambs in Melbourne has been fined heftily after inspectors discovered serious food safety violations.
The owner, Stephen Yannoulidis, faced court for continuing to operate despite a closure order due to the presence of dead mice, cockroaches, and rat droppings.
Health officials swarmed the restaurant between August 2022 and March 2023 following customer complaints. Their inspections revealed not only a pest problem but also unsanitary practices, including dirty rotisserie equipment and raw meat improperly stored near bottled water.
Despite a closure order issued on March 10, 2023, to address these issues, Lambs remained open for a week, with the closure notice poorly displayed.
Yannoulidis' defence cited personal issues, staffing shortages, and the pandemic for neglecting hygiene standards. While they acknowledged attempts at pest control, they admitted these efforts were inadequate.
The court was assured Lambs, established in 1982, would remain operational. Magistrate Michael Gurvich denounced the violations as "disgusting" but acknowledged rectification efforts.
While both Yannoulidis and Lambs avoided convictions, they were each fined $25,000 and ordered to pay court costs exceeding $7,700.