Not a good article at Tacoma, WA's The News Tribune:
Unlicensed Pierce County caterer exposes dozens to salmonella, officials say
Rick Stevenson told health inspectors he used the kitchen in a buddy’s rental house in Snohomish County to cook chicken, along with other fixings, for an event nearby in early July.
But officials say Stevenson, who runs the unlicensed Mr. Rick’s Catering out of a Tacoma home, failed to cook the chicken through and sickened several people with salmonella.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department had contacted Stevenson multiple times since 2012 telling him to shut down his business. After the Snohomish County incident, the department fined him $710 for continuing to operate without a permit.
A bit more:
Stevenson has a foodhandler’s permit but doesn’t have a caterer’s license that requires approved kitchen facilities. He did not respond to a phone message seeking comment.
Sherman said the county Health Department gets three or four cases a year of caterers operating without a permit. Jeffers says it’s “fairly unusual” for fines to be issued. Offenders are first given a written warning, allowing the department to work with people to get them to follow safe foodhandling procedures.
Christ on a Corn Dog. It is not difficult to find a place to use as a commissary. Public clubs, a restaurant during off-hours, churches, etc... Our local community center has a huge gorgeous kitchen that rents for $10/hour. I am surprised that the Pierce County Health Department is as easy-going as they are - we are talking about public health here and people did get sick from the guy's cooking.
If I looking for a caterer, I would certainly check the businesses license - same thing with building contractors and such. Licensed. Bonded. Insured. Those are my three magic words...
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