Recipe for a great night out this Christmas

Good company, great food, Christmas crackers and all the trimmings

Good company, great food, Christmas crackers and all the trimmings are usually the ingredients for a great meal out during the festive season.

Residents are being urged to ensure they are not haunted by the spectre of Christmas party meals past by checking the food hygiene rating of their chosen venue.

Whatever your recipe for eating out this Christmas, make sure you choose one of the 89 per cent of eateries in Rochdale borough with a rating of three or more,.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme rates food businesses on their hygiene standards, based on inspections carried out by Rochdale Borough Council. Businesses are rated on a scale ranging from zero which means ‘urgent improvement necessary’ to a top rating of five which is ‘very good’.

Look out for the green and black food hygiene rating stickers displayed on windows and doors to find out how businesses are doing.

Catriona Stewart, Head of the Food Hygiene Ratings Team at the Food Standards Agency, said: “The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is a great tool when choosing where to eat out, particularly when celebrating a special meal, because it tells you what’s going in the kitchen and behind the scenes. For local eateries, a good rating will be good for business during the festive season.”