TL;DR
- The Botanist in Bath got a 3/5 hygiene rating.
- Inspectors found mould and out-of-date food.
- Eight burrata cheeses were past their use-by date.
- First Dates has featured many LGBTQ+ daters.
- The venue is known for its Instagram-friendly style.
In the world of love and romance, the last thing you want is a side of mould with your dinner. But that’s exactly what the popular filming location for Channel 4’s First Dates has been serving up. The Botanist in Bath, the venue where many hopeful singles have tried to find love, has been hit with a three-out-of-five hygiene rating after a shocking inspection revealed some seriously unsavoury conditions.
According to reports, inspectors discovered mould lurking in the kitchen, along with raw food spillages and a shocking number of out-of-date items. Among the most scandalous findings were eight burrata cheeses that had long overstayed their welcome. Talk about a recipe for disaster!
“The raw food service fridge had spillages that were very mouldy – ensure you have a structured approach to cleaning,” a Food Standards Agency reviewer was quoted as saying. That’s right, folks, it seems that cleanliness isn’t next to godliness at this venue. The walls in the chiller were described as particularly mouldy, which is definitely not the ambiance you want while trying to impress a date.
Despite the restaurant’s generally satisfactory rating in two of the three categories assessed, the overall impression leaves much to be desired. The Botanist, which has been the home of First Dates since 2024, did not respond to requests for comment, nor did the show itself. But really, can you blame them? Who wants to talk about their dirty laundry when they’re trying to sell a romantic experience?
For those unfamiliar, First Dates is a show that matches singles on blind dates, hosted by the charming Fred Sirieix. The show has become a staple for LGBTQ+ representation, featuring a variety of daters looking for love. Over the years, it has showcased many queer individuals, including memorable moments like the time Georgia and Georga were paired up, only for Georga to reveal that Georgia had dated her niece. Talk about family drama!
In a more uplifting story, trans dater Steph Kyriacou shared that his experience on the show was “one of the best dates” he’d ever had. It’s these stories that keep viewers coming back, despite the occasional hiccup in the hygiene department.
As the show continues to highlight diverse love stories, one can only hope that the venue serving these hopeful romantics steps up its game in the cleanliness department. After all, no one wants to find love over a plate of mouldy burrata. So, here’s to hoping the next inspection brings better news and cleaner kitchens!
In the meantime, if you’re planning to dine at The Botanist, you might want to think twice. Love may be in the air, but so is the risk of food poisoning. Bon appétit, or should we say, bon chance?