Bon appétit! Ramsay residents were shocked when they found a living worm in their food (Credit: Hamza Hashim)
The viral video that was circulating in the former residence of Christopher Nolan shows what appears to be a live worm on an empty plate of food.
According to witnesses, residents were “told off” by catering staff when it was brought to their attention, claiming that the worm didn’t originate from the food.
Separately, residents also found a tangerine with a rotten centre from the hall’s catered canteen.
Ramsay’s Hall Community Officer Pooja Murugakannan said: “I’m deeply concerned about the incidents with the food that Ramsay students have faced.”
She claimed that “stones and plastics” have also been found in the food previously and that some students are now opting to cook or buy food from outside, despite having paid for catered meals.
The Hall Rep added: “No student should have to worry about the hygiene of their meals and it’s essential that high standards are upheld when it comes to food.
“It is the need of the hour to ensure quality food is provided to the students.”
Sources have indicated that catering at Ramsay recently switched to new management and as such is yet to receive a food hygiene rating, pending an inspection.
The University has apologised since the clip emerged.
A spokesperson said: “We are very sorry that the quality of the catering in one of our halls of residence has fallen short on this occasion.
“We have raised these two incidents with Gather & Gather who are reviewing their extensive food-cleaning procedures.”
UCL outsources its catering to Gather & Gather, a subsidiary of the hospitality giant CH&CO.
The spokesperson added that Gather & Gather has acknowledged these incidents are “completely unacceptable” and has apologised to the student in question.
“They have also raised them with their suppliers and have assured us they will take the necessary steps to ensure food cleanliness at all times.”
The Cheese Grater understands that the Students’ Union has been made aware of the incident and is currently being investigated by Welfare and Community Officer Rachel Lim.
She will be joined by Accommodation and Housing Officer Ben Scanlan at UCL’s catered halls in the coming weeks as they hope to speak to “as many students as possible” about their experience of catered accommodation.
The Accommodation Officer added: “Personally, I would like to see a review of the third parties that UCL uses for their halls.”
Students pay anywhere from £234.71 to £411.60 a week to stay in Ramsay, one of UCL’s few catered halls of accommodation.
Aside from being the birthplace of Coldplay and a former Covid testing centre, Ramsay is also responsible for a fair share of UCL shenanigans, from rumours of a “phantom shitter” who defecates on the floor, a longstanding tradition of urinating in the sink, arson, and everything in between.
It’s safe to say that residents were shocked but not surprised by the latest scandal.
This article appeared in the Digestive 4
