License No. 1102974|Public Food Service Establishment|Alachua County, FloridaInspected Mar 11, 2026
State of Florida Inspection Record

ZEN CREATIVE CATERING

101 SE 2 PL STE 114, GAINESVILLE, FL 32601

State inspectors have documented 4 high-priority violations at ZEN CREATIVE CATERING over the past year. That's the kind that can make you sick. Consider the alternatives below. The trailing-year record shows 23 violations, including 4 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.

Serious
47.2
Trailing year of inspections
How this kitchen compares
Against GAINESVILLE

Scores higher than 19% of the 529 inspected restaurants in GAINESVILLE on the trailing-year record.

47.2
Lowest scoreCity median · 72.9Highest score
Against Alachua County

4 high-priority violations on the trailing-year record — above the Alachua County average of 2.5.

This kitchen4
County average2.5
Above county average
Computed from the trailing-year records of all inspected restaurants in the same city and county. Official State of Florida inspection data — scores calculated by this site.

The Inspection Record

10 inspections

Full available history. The score uses only the most recent 365 days — older visits are shown for context, not counted.

Visit 01 — Routine - Food
Mar 11, 2026
Disposition
Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Raw-food separation & protection
Repeat — 6th time

Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.

High-priority×2
Chemicals & toxic substances
Repeat — 4th time

Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.

High-priority
Manager certification & training
Repeat — 5th time

Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.

Intermediate×2
Advisories, date marking & labeling
Repeat — 4th time

Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.

Intermediate
Other sanitary & safe operation

Other conditions related to sanitary and safe operation.

Basic×2
Equipment & surface condition
Repeat — 5th time

Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.

Basic
Plumbing & backflow

Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.

Basic
License current & displayed

The establishment's license expired, not obtained, or not properly displayed.

Basic
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 02 — Routine - Food
Sep 18, 2025
Disposition
Follow-up inspection · Compliance recordedCall Back - Complied
No violations on record for this visit

This visit closed with no further action required.

Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 03 — Routine - Food
Sep 10, 2025
Disposition
Administrative complaint recommended
Raw-food separation & protection
Repeat — 5th time

Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.

High-priority×2
Handwashing & employee habits

Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.

High-priority
Chemicals & toxic substances
Repeat — 3rd time

Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.

High-priority
Advisories, date marking & labeling
Repeat — 3rd time

Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.

Intermediate
Dishwashing facilities & test kits
Repeat — 3rd time

Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.

Intermediate
Handwash sinks & supplies
Repeat — 5th time

Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.

Intermediate
Equipment & surface condition
Repeat — 4th time

Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.

Basic×2
Dirty food-contact surfaces
Repeat — 5th time

Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.

Basic
Non-food surfaces dirty
Repeat — 5th time

Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.

Basic
Floors, walls & ceilings
Repeat — 4th time

Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.

Basic
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 04 — Routine - Food
Feb 12, 2025
Disposition
Follow-up inspection · Compliance recordedCall Back - Complied
No violations on record for this visit

This visit closed with no further action required.

Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 05 — Routine - Food
Jan 29, 2025
Disposition
Administrative complaint recommended
Food at unsafe temperature
Repeat — 5th time

Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.

High-priority×2
Approved & safe source
Repeat — 3rd time

Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.

High-priority
Raw-food separation & protection
Repeat — 4th time

Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.

High-priority
Pests & outer openings
Repeat — 4th time

Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.

High-priority
Advisories, date marking & labeling
Repeat — 2nd time

Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.

Intermediate
Dishwashing facilities & test kits
Repeat — 2nd time

Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.

Intermediate
Handwash sinks & supplies
Repeat — 4th time

Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.

Intermediate
Improper thawing

High-risk food (like meat) thawed improperly, promoting bacterial growth.

Basic
Equipment & surface condition
Repeat — 3rd time

Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.

Basic
Dirty food-contact surfaces
Repeat — 4th time

Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.

Basic
Non-food surfaces dirty
Repeat — 4th time

Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.

Basic
Floors, walls & ceilings
Repeat — 3rd time

Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.

Basic
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 06 — Routine - Food
Aug 28, 2024
Disposition
Administrative complaint recommended
Approved & safe source
Repeat — 2nd time

Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.

High-priority
Food at unsafe temperature
Repeat — 4th time

Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.

High-priority
Raw-food separation & protection
Repeat — 3rd time

Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.

High-priority
Pests & outer openings
Repeat — 3rd time

Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.

High-priority
Chemicals & toxic substances
Repeat — 2nd time

Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.

High-priority
Dishwashing facilities & test kits

Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.

Intermediate
Handwash sinks & supplies
Repeat — 3rd time

Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.

Intermediate
Manager certification & training
Repeat — 4th time

Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.

Intermediate
Equipment & surface condition
Repeat — 2nd time

Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.

Basic×2
Dirty food-contact surfaces
Repeat — 3rd time

Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.

Basic
Non-food surfaces dirty
Repeat — 3rd time

Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.

Basic
Garbage & premises

Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.

Basic
Floors, walls & ceilings
Repeat — 2nd time

Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.

Basic
Personal belongings

Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.

Basic
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 07 — Routine - Food
Mar 22, 2024
Disposition
Follow-up inspection · Compliance recordedCall Back - Complied
No violations on record for this visit

This visit closed with no further action required.

Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 08 — Routine - Food
Mar 4, 2024
Disposition
Administrative complaint recommended
Raw-food separation & protection
Repeat — 2nd time

Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.

High-priority×2
Approved & safe source

Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.

High-priority
Food at unsafe temperature
Repeat — 3rd time

Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.

High-priority
Pests & outer openings
Repeat — 2nd time

Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.

High-priority
Employee health
Repeat — 2nd time

A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.

Intermediate
Handwash sinks & supplies
Repeat — 2nd time

Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.

Intermediate
Manager certification & training
Repeat — 3rd time

Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.

Intermediate
Dirty food-contact surfaces
Repeat — 2nd time

Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.

Basic
Non-food surfaces dirty
Repeat — 2nd time

Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.

Basic
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 09 — Routine - Food
Jan 10, 2024
Disposition
Follow-up - Admin. complaint recommended
Food at unsafe temperature
Repeat — 2nd time

Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.

High-priority
Manager certification & training
Repeat — 2nd time

Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.

Intermediate
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
Visit 10 — Routine - Food
Nov 6, 2023
Disposition
Warning Issued
Raw-food separation & protection

Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.

High-priority×2
Food at unsafe temperature

Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.

High-priority
Pests & outer openings

Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.

High-priority
Chemicals & toxic substances

Cleaning chemicals or other toxic substances unlabeled or stored where they can reach food.

High-priority
Handwash sinks & supplies

Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.

Intermediate×2
Advisories, date marking & labeling

Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.

Intermediate
Employee health

A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.

Intermediate
Manager certification & training

Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.

Intermediate
Floors, walls & ceilings

Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.

Basic×2
Equipment & surface condition

Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.

Basic
Dirty food-contact surfaces

Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.

Basic
Non-food surfaces dirty

Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.

Basic
Lighting

Inadequate lighting, or bulbs over food areas not shielded or shatter-protected.

Basic
Source: State of FloridaState inspection document
What the violations mean

Violation categories, explained

11 violations · 8 categories

Every violation on this record falls into one of the state's standardized categories. Here is what each category covers and why inspectors check for it — in plain English, with the trailing-year count for this kitchen.

Raw meat, poultry, and seafood must be kept away from ready-to-eat food, and all food must be protected during prep, storage, and display. Inspectors treat separation seriously because raw-food drips and splashes carry pathogens onto food that will not be cooked again.

On this record, the category appears in 1 of the 1 trailing-year inspection. The written details for each entry are in the state inspection documents linked above.

† Item numbers refer to the State of Florida’s standardized inspection form; the same item recurring across visits indicates an unresolved problem. Severity groupings and the sanitation score are explained in How it works.
Check our work

The inspection record above comes straight from the state's files.

Dirty Dish List is built from public inspection data published by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The inspection dates, dispositions, and violations on this report card mirror what the state has on file for License No. 1102974 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.

License on file
1102974
Inspected
Mar 11, 2026
Scoring
Trailing-year aggregate — How it works
Official State of Florida inspection records Opens myfloridalicense.com — the state's public inspection search
Official State of Florida inspection data — scores calculated by this site
Dirty Dish List.

Official inspection data, translated for the people who eat here.

SOURCE: STATE OF FLORIDA
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