The Proof of the Pudding food hygiene rating
Manufacturers/packers · Northumberland
The Proof of the Pudding holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the food producer met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 11 January 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: Heckley High House Cottages, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 2LQ
How it compares in Northumberland
That puts The Proof of the Pudding among the 2,779 places in Northumberland holding top marks, 90% 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 | 2,779 | 90% | ← The Proof of the Pudding | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 214 | 7% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 67 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 7 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 8 | <1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 397 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Good
- How well they manage food safety 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 The Proof of the Pudding 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 The Proof of the Pudding, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Cookie Jar (Alnwick) Ltd Hotel/bed & breakfast/guest house | 1.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 December 2024 |
| Bailiffgate Hotel Hotel/bed & breakfast/guest house | 1.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 5 August 2025 |
| Castleview Bed & Breakfast Hotel/bed & breakfast/guest house | 1.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 4 December 2023 |
| Apple Blossom Day Nursery Caring Premises | 1.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 9 June 2025 |
| Barndale House School School/college/university | 1.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 3 February 2025 |
| Barndale Short Break Caring Premises | 1.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 8 December 2023 |
| On the Hoof Mobile caterer | 1.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 13 December 2022 |
| Alnwick Ice Cream Parlour Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 19 May 2023 |
Questions about The Proof of the Pudding
What is The Proof of the Pudding's food hygiene rating?
The Proof of the Pudding has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Northumberland Council on 11 January 2024.
Is The Proof of the Pudding 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 food producer to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was The Proof of the Pudding last inspected?
The Proof of the Pudding was last inspected on 11 January 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Northumberland Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Proof of the Pudding?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "good", and confidence in the management of food safety "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Proof of the Pudding compare to other places in Northumberland?
90% of the 3,077 rated food businesses in Northumberland hold the top rating of 5, and The Proof of the Pudding is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Northumberland Council inspects The Proof of the Pudding 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 The Proof of the Pudding and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
The Proof of the Pudding is one of 152 rated food businesses in Alnwick. See every hygiene rating in Alnwick →
Northumberland inspects and rates 3,474 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Northumberland →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.northumberland.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 →