A “dirty and greasy” cafe has been handed a one-star food hygiene rating after raw meat was stored with salad.

Inspectors also said cleaning standards at the Blue and White Cafe on the A20 near Ashford were “poor”.

But its owner vowed to make vast improvements and said the new rating will help motivate change.

Food Standards Agency inspectors handed the cafe near Smeeth a one-star hygiene rating following its visit on March 29.

Frozen foods, such as lasagne and chilli, were left to defrost in a sink overnight, so were not thawing under temperature-controlled conditions.

Obtained via a Freedom of Information request, the report also highlighted the lack of a Safer Food, Better Business pack.

The information bundles are designed to help companies cook and sell safe food.

Inspectors ordered bosses to “train staff on procedures and ensure they are properly implemented”.

“The diary has not been completed since the end of 2022 – ensure monitoring checks are being carried out daily,” the report said.

The one-star review, which is the second-lowest that can be given, described general cleaning at the Blue and White Cafe as “poor”.

“Surfaces are greasy and dirty,” the report said, adding: “equipment is dirty and greasy underneath”.

The owners were told to deep clean the premises and equipment immediately and draw up a cleaning schedule.

“All foods must be defrosted under temperature controlled conditions, such as the fridge, to ensure pathogenic bacteria have minimal chance to grow,” the report added.

Pointing out food was being defrosted unsafely, the report continued: “you are not following your own procedures.”

The extractor fan at the rear of the cafe was covered in “thick grease which is dripping down the wall and all over the floor below,” inspectors said.

It was due to be replaced the following week and workers were told to ensure it is regularly cleaned.

Food was also found uncovered in the freezer which “could be susceptible to physical contamination”.

A fridge was also found in the cafe which was being used by A20 Grill, a kebab van set up next to the cafe.

“Raw chicken and lamb were found to be stored next to and above ready to eat foods, i.e. lettuce, salad vegetables, sauces,” the report added.

“These items were disposed of at the time of the inspection.”

Owner Aman Hundal said he “wasn’t happy” with the rating but vowed to improve after standards slipped.

“We’ve had a few staffing problems and the challenges we’re facing running a business in a financial crisis means everything is more expensive,” he said.

“It is a difficult time for businesses and a lot of them are closing.”

Mr Hundal says despite the rating, the cafe is “still busy”.

“It is not the fact that the food has gone downhill,” he added. “It is more the paperwork side of things.

“We’re trying to do exactly what they want and it is nothing major.

“We have never had any reports of food poisoning or rodents.

“In a way, I was happy we got the ‘one’ as it made me more motivated.

“I’ve had businesses for about 10 years and I’ve never had a rating less than a ‘four’.”

An Ashford Borough Council spokesperson said: “During inspections appropriate advice is provided to businesses on how they can improve and they are subsequently able to book a revisit to be re-evaluated.”