Re-offenders come clean

The large and bustling Kam Fook restaurant in Chatswood is Sydney's worst serial offender still operating on the Food Authority's Name and Shame register.

The popular yum cha destination able to seat 600 people has been hit with 17 fines worth $13,640 in the past five years.

The latest offences were in 2011 when inspectors found mould and food waste on coolroom shelving, above and below unprotected food. Raw chicken was also found in a colander on the floor.

Manager Edmond Yuen said the restaurant now had a new owner who had brought in new health and hygiene practices.

"We are doing everything in more detail and check more often. Everything must be clean. I can say the new owner is going much better," he said. "There's been a big improvement."

Top Choice BBQ restaurant in Burwood has also been slapped with 17 fines, including three last year for having uncovered food stored on the coolroom floor and allowing the accumulation of dirt and grease. No fines were issued in 2010 and 2011.

Owner of 15 years Peter Ma has paid food authority fines of $11,660. He said he joined his staff to clean the restaurant for nearly two hours every day after closing. "Being clean is important to us,'' he said.

The son of the owner of Shanghai Night Restaurant in Ashfield, Yang Qin, said his mother's lack of English meant she was susceptible to making mistakes.

"But she's learning from them so the penalties never happen again. The pest control people come every three months and we have the certificates," he said.