New food hygiene ratings have been awarded to two of Bracknell Forest’s establishments, the Food Standards Agency’s website shows – and it’s good news for them both.

The Winning Post, on Winkfield Street in Winkfield, was handed a five-out-of-five rating after assessment on August 15.

And The Old Hatchet on Hatchet Lane in Wood End, was also given a score of five on August 12.

This pubs underwent a thorough assessment earlier this month.

Two country pubs both enjoy a strong reputation on Tripadvisor where they each have four out of five ratings.

The Winning Post's patrons laud its warm welcome and continuously open kitchen.

It is set between Ascot, Maidenhead & Bracknell, making it a popular choice for locals and passing visitors alike.

According to reviews, at this 18th century pub diners enjoy a fantastic range of meals and drinks, appreciating the inviting nooks, stone flooring, and large fireplace that add to the building's undeniable character.

Plenty of visitors also choose to stay overnight in one of the establishment's 12 rooms.

The FSA's Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) is implemented in conjunction with local authorities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

It provides businesses with a rating between zero and five that reflects their hygiene standards.

These ratings are publicly visible in businesses’ premises and on the FSA's website, thereby informing people's choices about where to eat or buy food.

A top rating of five denotes 'very good' hygiene standards.

The scores dip to 'good', 'generally satisfactory', 'some improvement necessary', 'major improvement necessary', and 'urgent improvement required' for ratings of four, three, two, one and zero respectively.

Hygiene ratings are based on inspections which evaluate factors such as food handling, storage, preparation, facility cleanliness and food safety management.

However, the FHRS does not cover elements like the quality of food, presentation, customer service, or the culinary skills of the chefs.

These factors notwithstanding, businesses must comply with food hygiene laws all the time.

The general public can find the ratings online or on stickers displayed at business premises.

These ratings reflect businesses' overall performance as per the standards observed at the time of inspection.

They also reveal the inspection date performed by the local authority's food safety officer.

Typically, ratings are assigned to places where food is supplied, sold or consumed.

These include restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways, food vans, stalls, canteens, hotels, supermarkets, schools, hospitals, care homes and other food shops.

During the inspection, a food safety officer verifies how hygienically food is prepared, cooked, re-heated, cooled and stored, checks the cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and pest control and assesses the management of food safety.

County dwellers and travellers alike in the areas of Windsor and Ascot are strongly encouraged to enjoy a meal at these fine establishments, assured of their commitment to excellent hygiene standards.