The Snohomish Health District announced this week food excellence awards for several of the county’s top restaurants and institutional kitchens, selected from more than 4,000 food permit holders.
Only businesses with no food code violations in the past year are nominated for an award by food inspectors. After that, nominees are scrutinized by the Food Advisory Committee, a group of restaurant owners, managers, chefs and food safety specialists who volunteer their time to advise the health district on policies and procedures.
The 2012 Excellence Award Winners are:
Full Menu Establishment: Playa Bonita Mexican Restaurant, Marysville. Owners Jorge Acero, Mario Zambrano and Jose Luis Zambrano were commended for their professionalism and having no violations in the last five inspections.
Fast Service Establishment: Miyako’s Teriyaki &Wok, Marysville. Michael Kim owns and manages the restaurant near the Costco in Lakewood. It’s the second year this business received a nomination.
Limited Menu Establishment: Surf Shack Espresso, Lake Stevens. Theresa Personius owns and runs the business in Frontier Village.
Grocery Store: Harbor Pointe QFC #832, Mukilteo. The store is managed by Kevin Heuser. Last year, the QFC store in Bothell won this award.
School/Industry/Institution: Marysville Getchell High School. The school’s kitchen is managed by Donna Geise. The school serves breakfast and lunch in multiple buildings across the campus.
Temporary Food Establishment: Silver Firs Safeway. The store is managed by Mike Eagle. In addition to its deli and in-store food, the store holds many temporary events outdoors, which add complexity.
The Snohomish Health District created the Excellence Awards program in 1989. The public health agency’s 11 food program staff visits every establishment at least once throughout the year, according to the health district.
Restaurants with more extensive — and potentially hazardous — menus are inspected three times. School kitchens, temporary food booths, assisted living businesses and grocery store barbeques are inspected to ensure food safety.
Food inspection reports may be viewed online at www.snohd.org. Search for “restaurants.”
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