First Taste
Last inspected: Apr 8, 2026
64
Score
Going back to 2022, First Taste has eight inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Apr 8, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near five violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
Restaurants in Inverness average 83, so First Taste trails the local norm. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
8
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 8, 2026
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Bean sprouts 45F on prep table. Operator moved sprouts to reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken wings stored over egg rolls in reach in cooler. Operator corrected shelves. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Back exit of the kitchen **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths stored in detergent and sanitizer mixed together.
21-03-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on prep table in kitchen. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
64
Sep 29, 2025
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Broken ceiling tile above walk in cooler area
36-32-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Screen door at back exit of kitchen
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Sauce bucket in walk in cooler. Operator moved to shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee soda bottle in reach in cooler at cook line. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
82
Jun 9, 2025
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Pan containing raw frozen chicken stored on shelf directly above pan containing raw frozen beef inside reach-in freezer near cookline. Employee moved chicken to below beef during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Pan containing raw chicken stored on shelf above pans containing fully-cooked chicken inside reach-in cooler at front counter. Manager removed raw chicken from cooler during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cut cabbage (76F - Cold Holding). Pan containing cut cabbage sitting at room temperature on counter at cookline. Employee stated the cut cabbage was placed on the counter approximately 30 minutes prior and added ice to cabbage to rapidly cool it to 41. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing multi surface cleaner stored directly beside bottles and cans of soda below front counter. Manager removed spray bottle from shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Several sheet pans containing cooked chicken lined with takeout menus in back of kitchen.
14-86-1
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Frozen pork stored inside grocery bag in pan on counter in kitchen. Manager removed pork from grocery bag during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-15-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Absorbent and porous acoustic ceiling tiles in-use throughout kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
39
Dec 12, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Pan containing raw chicken stored directly above pan containing fully-cooked chicken inside reach-in cooler at front counter. Manager removed raw chicken from cooler during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On counter in kitchen at cookline: cut cabbage (58F - Cold Holding). The cabbage is shredded in a pan at the cookline. Manager stated the cabbage has been on the counter for approximately one hour and was held on temperature. Inspector had employee place pan of cut cabbage into the cooler to cool to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. Chicken at cookline missing time mark. Manager stated the chicken was being held 12pm-4pm and added proper time mark during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03F-02-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Absorbent and porous acoustic ceiling tiles in-use throughout kitchen.
36-37-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Several employee drink cups stored in prep table directly beside in-use cutting board near cookline. Manager removed all drink cups from table during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1. Filters above cookline dripping with grease. 2. Back-side of handle on reach-in cooler at front counter heavily soiled with grease. 3. Gaskets on reach-in freezer in back of kitchen soiled with grease and/or food debris. 4. Underside of handle on reach-in freezer in back of kitchen soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
55
Mar 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
74
Oct 9, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over wontons/spring rolls in reach in freezer
08A-05-6
Basic - Ceiling soiled with accumulated food debris, grease in kitchen area. Floors soiled under equipment in cook line area
36-34-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee preparing food at cook line
13-03-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Refrigerator at front counter. Operator installed thermometer in reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
05-09-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
70
May 22, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
61
Oct 13, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was First Taste last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at First Taste on file is from Apr 8, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at First Taste?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at First Taste.
How does First Taste compare to other restaurants in Inverness?
First Taste most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Inverness average of 83.
Has First Taste's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at First Taste have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at First Taste means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is First Taste inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, First Taste is inspected around two times per year on average.
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