It is a year since the lid was lifted on Brighton and Hove’s food outlets – from kebab shops to swanky restaurants.

Scores On The Doors has proved an exercise in eating humble pie for those at the bottom of the table as their kitchen’s reputation has taken a battering. Others have been toasting their five-star success. The city council’s spotlight on our culinary culture has been applauded for improving kitchen cleanliness.

But, as reporter Lawrence Marzouk found out, those who have failed to meet grade are also the least likely to display their rating.

Whether you are a gourmet chef or a burger flipper, you can no longer hide grease-coated pans and filthy fridges – or at least that is the principle behind Scores On The Doors, launched a year ago.

If you fancy an early morning fry-up, lunchtime baguette or a late-night kebab, you can now make an informed choice about where to satisfy your hunger.

Many of the worst performing outlets do not display their grade but you can check star ratings on the internet.

In a survey of Preston Street, The Argus found that more than half had no score on the door.

Unsurprisingly, those with the lowest rank where the least likely to be up front about the problem.

The star rating – which ranks premises from five stars (excellent) to zero (poor) – is available online but is displayed outside the venue at the owner’s discretion.

Despite this drawback, the scheme has been widely praised and is credited for improving hygiene standards in the city.

Since it was launched, the number of excellent eateries has risen from 78 to 129 and the number of four-star establishments is up from 263 to 399.

The new five-star premises include kebab shops, curry houses and Chinese takeaways, a children’s day nursery and a golf club.

In a survey of residents on the council’s Citizen’s Panel, 85% said they are likely to be influenced by scores on the doors when deciding where to eat and 86% think the scheme is a good idea.

Councillor Mary Mears, city council leader, said: “Scores On The Doors has been a big success.

“Thousands of people have checked the website, and residents and visitors appreciate being able to see the ratings for food businesses at a glance before deciding where to eat.

“The council’s food safety team works closely with the catering industry and the scheme has helped raise standards.”

Pub manager Sean Agar is one of those celebrating five stars.

When he took over the Golden Cannon in St George’s Road, Brighton, earlier this year it had zero stars. He has transformed the pub and was delighted with a top rating.

Mr Agar said: “The scheme is important – it means customers know what to expect and it is good for staff to see their hard work recognised.

“The pub had a bad reputation before so it was really important for me to get five stars to show that things had changed completely for the better.”

Chinese restaurant and takeaway China Hins, in Church Road, Hove, also has five stars.

Manager Yinnai Cheung said: “We are proud and delighted to achieve the five-star award, it encourages us to try even harder to keep up the standard.”

Sam’s Restaurant in Paston Place, Brighton, is another five star winner.

Chef and owner Sam Metcalfe, who also runs the Seven Dials restaurant, said: “We are absolutely thrilled.

“Scores On The Doors is important and we worked with environmental health officers before opening the restaurant earlier this year to make sure we met all the required standards.”

All food businesses are subject to food safety inspections. The Scores On The Doors ratings are based on hygiene and safety standards, the inspector’s confidence in the management, potential hazards, the number of customers and the risk of eColi.

Once an inspection takes place, venues are provided with a poster or sticker to put on the door, although restaurateurs are not obliged to do so.

All scores are at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/scoresonthedoors.

Brighton and Hove was one of the first councils in the South East to introduce the scheme, set up by the Food Standards Agency.

Does the scheme work? Is there a better way of rating our restaurants? Comment below.