A popular pub’s chef was fired after a hygiene inspection revealed his criminal past
Llandegla: A pub recently reopened after a pandemic closure was thriving. The owners, Mel and Brian Braban, were excited about their new chef, Dai. His dishes were popular, and customers loved the food.
Mel and Brian have run the 400-year-old inn for over a decade. After Dai joined, their Facebook page lit up with likes and bookings. They felt confident about their choice.
Dai, whose full name is David James, aimed for culinary excellence. He even told Mel he wanted to earn a rosette for his cooking. His menu featured unique dishes like Welsh paella and Sambuca prawns.
However, the Brabans were unaware of Dai’s troubled past. He was born David Carroll and changed his name after a 2018 court case. That case involved him faking cancer to scam his mother-in-law out of £2,000.
After being found guilty of fraud, he received a suspended prison sentence. The Brabans learned about his history after a hygiene inspection on September 26. The pub received a shocking zero-star rating.
Following the inspection, the Brabans announced on Facebook that Dai was no longer their chef. They cited significant issues with his food safety practices as the reason for his dismissal.
Dai claimed he had learned from the inspection but also felt scapegoated. He mentioned his past health issues, including Munchausen syndrome, which affected his behavior during the fraud.
The inspection report revealed serious hygiene problems. The kitchen had rancid food, and many items were improperly stored. The inspector noted a lack of cleanliness and proper food handling.
After the inspection, the pub voluntarily closed its kitchen for improvements. The Brabans expressed shock at the findings, stating they had trusted Dai’s experience and qualifications.
Despite the zero-star rating, the pub claimed to have made significant improvements. They were preparing for a re-inspection to regain their reputation.
Dai, who had worked as a chef for seven years, defended his actions. He argued that he was not responsible for the food issues found during the inspection, as he had been off work prior to it.
He also shared concerns he had raised with the Brabans about staffing and cleaning. The pub denied his claims, stating they had no previous chef before Dai.
The pub has an average rating of 4.4 stars from customers, but the zero-star hygiene rating remains a concern. They are committed to meeting hygiene standards moving forward.
During his fraud case, the court heard how Dai deceived his mother-in-law about his health. He was ordered to repay the money and complete community service.
