ORLANDO, Fla. — A mom-and-pop sushi restaurant in Orlando is protesting an order from the state to build a sneeze guard at its counter.
The owners of the Kappo restaurant said they are following the ancient Japanese Kappo tradition, where chefs prepare food in front of their customers.
The tiny restaurant in the East End Market seats seven and is 200 square feet.
Kappo's owners told Channel 9's Tim Barber that they are also the chefs and servers. They said adding a sneeze guard would ruin the personal experience of their restaurant.
Photos: Kappo sushi restaurant
Inspectors with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation are demanding a sneeze guard be put in between those doing the food preparation and their customers.
"Why would that be a bad thing?" Barber asked owner Lordfer Lalicon.
"Oh, that is not bad at all. I think we as the consumers should be protected from the food. But that is also our jobs as professionals," Lalicon said.
Lalicon says his is a top-notch sushi restaurant, and customers can inspect the entire kitchen from the counter.
"That is everything. That is exactly what I said before, that is what Kappo is, it's the relationship between us. It's a performance. It's an education," Lalicon said.
State officials said they want to protect public health and safety. They also said businesses may use any effective means to protect exposed ready-to-eat food.
Lalicon hopes an agreement can be reached with the state before the fines start racking up.
"Chefs cook in front of their guests, they serve, they do everything in front of their guests, so it's like a relationship," he said.
State officials said they had not yet determined how much the potential fines could be.
Barber learned that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows Brazilian-style steakhouses to operate without sneeze guards because the employees directly monitor the food.
Lalicon said his restaurant is no different.
WFTV
