A dining experience at a Hilton Hotel restaurant in Toronto left a customer perplexed when their medium-cooked burger came with an unexpected twist – an ominous waiver relieving the establishment of any liability.
Sharing the unusual encounter on Reddit, the customer, hailing from the U.S., detailed the incident where they ordered a medium-cooked burger without any prior indication of the unusual practice at the hotel. The burger looked appetizing when served, but the patron's first bite was accompanied by a waiter presenting a release form.
Expressing bewilderment, the customer questioned the necessity of signing such a waiver and wondered why the waiter hadn't provided any forewarning. Despite the confusion, they paid for the meal but couldn't bring themselves to eat the burger.
According to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's Food Premises Reference Document, hamburger meat must be cooked to at least 71°C/160°F to eliminate bacteria on its surfaces. However, Toronto Public Health clarified that restaurants can deviate from this standard if they can demonstrate alternative cooking methods that ensure the safety of the food.
The use of a waiver, as observed in this case, does not exempt an eatery from adhering to safety standards. Despite the online discussions, Hilton did not provide a comment in response to blogTO's inquiry.
This incident highlights the intersection of customer preferences, food safety regulations, and restaurant practices, sparking a conversation about the diverse approaches to serving burgers in different culinary establishments.
Source: Blogto
Photo: Getty