A disgruntled barista has blown the lid off the alleged food safety violations at a popular West Village coffee shop and its adjoining restaurant. In a viral TikTok video, the former employee claims to have witnessed a litany of revolting practices, from food handlers preparing meals on top of garbage containers to storing perishables at dangerously high temperatures. The revelations have sent shockwaves through the local community, raising concerns about the integrity of the establishment's operations and the health risks posed to unsuspecting patrons.

Exposing the Unsavory Underbelly of Manhattan's Trendiest Eatery

Allegations of Unsanitary Food Handling Practices

According to the TikTok video, food handlers at Fellini Cucina, the new restaurant associated with Fellini Coffee in the West Village, have been engaging in a series of alarming practices that flagrantly disregard food safety protocols. The former barista, Corey Kiser, claims to have witnessed employees preparing food directly on top of garbage containers, a clear violation of health regulations. Additionally, Kiser alleges that the establishment has been storing meat and dairy products at temperatures well above the recommended 45 degrees Fahrenheit, potentially leading to the spoilage of these perishable items.Kiser's revelations have sparked outrage among the local community, with many questioning the integrity of the establishment's operations and the potential health risks posed to its patrons. The former employee's claims have been further corroborated by a coworker, who has also come forward to express concerns about the "disgusting" conditions they have observed behind the scenes.

Questionable Refrigeration Practices and Spoiled Dairy Products

One of the most alarming aspects of Kiser's allegations is the claim that the shared walk-in refrigerator between the coffee shop and the restaurant has been operating at temperatures well above the safe threshold of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the TikToker, the refrigerator was recently found to be reading a staggering 52 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature that could have allowed for the rapid spoilage of various food items, including poultry, pork, and dairy products.Kiser further alleges that he and his coworkers have been unknowingly serving customers sour milk, having "gagged" on several occasions when they discovered that the milk they were using to froth drinks had curdled. This revelation has raised serious concerns about the potential health risks posed to the establishment's patrons, who may have unknowingly consumed spoiled dairy products.

Alleged Prepping of Food in Unsanitary Outdoor Spaces

In addition to the issues with the shared refrigerator, Kiser claims to have witnessed Fellini Cucina employees prepping food in an outdoor space adjacent to the restaurant, using garbage cans as makeshift prep surfaces. This practice, if true, would be a clear violation of health codes and could potentially lead to the contamination of the food being prepared.Kiser's account has been further corroborated by a customer who reportedly shared photos with the barista, depicting Fellini workers stacking baked goods on top of garbage cans and placing produce directly on top of raw bacon. These alleged actions, if verified, would represent a blatant disregard for food safety standards and could pose significant health risks to the establishment's patrons.

Lack of Responsiveness from Management

According to Kiser, he and his coworkers attempted to raise concerns about the alleged food safety issues through the company's internal communication channels, but their warnings fell on deaf ears. The former barista claims that the management team at Fellini Cucina seemed more focused on the "show and Instagram" aspects of the business, rather than addressing the pressing health and safety concerns that were being brought to their attention.Kiser's decision to go public with his allegations through the viral TikTok video appears to have been a last-resort measure, driven by his belief that the management team was unwilling to take the necessary steps to address the problems he had observed. The former employee's hope is that his whistleblowing will serve as a wake-up call, not only for the Fellini Cucina management but also for the broader community of Manhattan coffee lovers who may be unaware of the potential risks they face when dining at the establishment.

Conflicting Statements from Fellini Cucina Management

In response to the allegations made by Kiser, Fellini Cucina's manager, Rodrigo Paiva, has vehemently denied the claims, stating that they are "completely false." Paiva asserted that the establishment has never had any incidents of food poisoning and that it maintains a "very good standing" with the city's Department of Health.However, a closer examination of the restaurant's history reveals a more complex picture. Records show that Fellini's Thompson Street location in SoHo was cited by the Health Department earlier this year for a range of issues, including insufficient dishwashing, unlabeled juice, lack of a properly calibrated food thermometer, potential contamination, and a malfunctioning sewage system. Additionally, the Fellini Coffee location on Eighth Avenue in Chelsea was found to have evidence of mice, according to city records.These past infractions, coupled with the current allegations made by Kiser and his coworker, raise serious questions about the establishment's commitment to upholding food safety standards and the veracity of Paiva's claims. The conflicting narratives have left the local community in a state of uncertainty, unsure of whether they can trust the assurances provided by the Fellini Cucina management.