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Dubai restaurant defends reputation after FB post

Dubai - The post claimed that worms were found in home-delivered cooked rice from a restaurant

A popular restaurant chain in Dubai has publicly defended its name following a complaint posted by an irked customer on social media.
The post - which claimed that worms were found in home-delivered cooked rice from Calicut Notebook - received more than 200 shares on Facebook.
But an inspection by Dubai Municipality (DM) has found the restaurant to be clear of any health and safety offences.
Specialising in South Indian cuisine, Calicut Notebook is a favourite among UAE residents.
Calling the incident "unfortunate" Manager of Legal Affairs, Ahmed OA Saleem, told Khaleej Times he feels the restaurant has become the victim of internet trolling.
How it all unfolded
On July 23, three days after receiving a takeaway from the restaurant (on July 20), the complainant took to Facebook to warn others of the popular eatery.
Upon receiving the food she claimed she found worms in one of the dishes.
Attaching a picture of the alleged contaminated dish and the original receipt, the post read: ".not just one or two, I got three worms from one meal box."
She continued by writing: "I never wanted to spoil the name and brand value of Calicut Notebook but the approach from the management forced me to do so."
Saleem, however, said this was simply not the case.
"We want to be completely transparent about the whole situation," he told Khaleej Times.
He claimed that on the day of the incident, the customer called the restaurant to complain "one hour after receiving the order."
"When the general manager was alerted of the situation, he and the executive chef offered to go to her house to take back the dish and offer a solution to the problem."
However, she declined and demanded to speak to the higher management.
When the managing director offered to do the same, she again refused.
For three days, Saleem claims, the customer tried to "take advantage of the restaurant", demanding they employ her on a high salary.
But when they explained there were no vacancies available, she retaliated by posting on Facebook.
"If this customer really found these worms in the dish, she should have informed Dubai Municipality (DM) right away, but she didn't. She informed them three days later, when we didn't meet her demands."
Inspection passed
Within 24 hours of the official complaint, DM contacted the restaurant, and on July 26 an inspection was carried out.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Jamal Abosoud, Principal Food Health Inspection Officer, confirmed the following.
"Dubai Municipality did carry out an inspection and they found it clear. The restaurant was not fined."
He said the inspector checks all aspects of the restaurant and if high risk offences are identified, the restaurant will be fined.
When asked what steps customers should follow in situations like this, Abosoud said they should immediately seek the advice of DM.
"Insects can come from anywhere. All we can do is check the hygiene standards of the restaurant and see if they abide by the general rules."
Which in this case, they did.
With seven branches in Dubai and a staff count of more than 300, Calicut Notebook is part of Arabia Holdings Limited, a multi-enterprise group.
Saleem said every customer has a right to complain, but he reiterated the fact that it should be done "in the correct way".
"We tried to offer a solution by meeting with her but she refused."
The restaurant's executive director, Gopi Poovamullathhil, also said there was one point worth mentioning.
"We cook our rice in batches. That particular batch contained 200 servings, yet this was the only complaint we received."
Khaleej Times did reach out to the customer on Facebook, but received no response.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com

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