Columbia Events food hygiene rating
Mobile caterer · Maidstone
Columbia Events holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the mobile caterer met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 1 March 2024, more than 2 years ago. A lot can change in a kitchen in that time, and a rating this old says more about the business then than now. Councils prioritise re-inspecting higher-risk premises, so a long gap often means the business is considered low-risk.
Address: New Shelve Farm, Ashford Road, Lenham, ME17 2DS
How it compares in Maidstone
That puts Columbia Events among the 1,136 places in Maidstone holding top marks, 82% of everywhere the council rates. A 5 is the norm here rather than the exception, so it is the rating to expect, not to be impressed by.
| 5 out of 5 | 1,136 | 82% | ← Columbia Events | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 165 | 12% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 61 | 4% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 11 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 12 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 65 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Very good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Good
- How well they manage food safety Very good
An inspection scores three things: how food is handled, the physical condition of the premises, and how much the inspector trusts management to keep standards up. At Columbia Events none of the three raised a concern, the overall rating is only ever as strong as its weakest area, so a clean sweep is what produces a high score.
Food hygiene ratings nearby
The closest food businesses to Columbia Events, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Bake Retailers - other | 1.3 miles away | 4 - Good | 11 March 2026 |
| The Square Fish Cafe Takeaway/sandwich shop | 1.3 miles away | 4 - Good | 13 October 2025 |
| End Of The Rainbow Food Station Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 28 March 2023 |
| Cornerhouse Cafe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 2 August 2024 |
| Lenham Farm Shop Retailers - other | 1.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 September 2023 |
| Co-op Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 1.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 14 August 2025 |
| The Bow Window Cafe And Tearoom Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 5 August 2024 |
| The Dog And Bear Hotel Pub/bar/nightclub | 1.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 May 2025 |
Questions about Columbia Events
What is Columbia Events's food hygiene rating?
Columbia Events has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Maidstone Council on 1 March 2024.
Is Columbia Events safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 5 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this mobile caterer to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Columbia Events last inspected?
Columbia Events was last inspected on 1 March 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Maidstone Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Columbia Events?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "good", and confidence in the management of food safety "very good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Columbia Events compare to other places in Maidstone?
82% of the 1,387 rated food businesses in Maidstone hold the top rating of 5, and Columbia Events is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Maidstone Council inspects Columbia Events and sets the rating; the Food Standards Agency publishes it. Neither the business nor this site can change a rating, a business that disagrees can appeal to its council, and can request a re-inspection once it has fixed the problems.
Tell me when this changes
The Food Standards Agency publishes only a business's rating today, not what it scored before, and not when it moves. We check every UK rating each night. Watch Columbia Events and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Columbia Events is one of 20 rated food businesses in Lenham. See every hygiene rating in Lenham →
Maidstone inspects and rates 1,452 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Maidstone →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.maidstone.gov.uk/
Rating from the Food Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence. Ratings reflect standards found at the time of inspection and can change. If you think a rating is wrong, the official record is held by the FSA and the local authority; corrections there flow through here. How ratings work →