In an unexpected turn of events, the kitchens of several luxury five-star hotels in Bengaluru have been found in an unhygienic state, with rotten chicken, beef, expired milk, curd, and vegetables. The Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department conducted surprise inspections at prestigious establishments such as Skyye Lounge, The Lalit Ashok Annex South, Shangri-La Bengaluru, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru, Vivanta Bengaluru Whitefield, Taj Yeshwantpur, and Radisson Blu The Atria. Large quantities of expired meat, fish, vegetables, milk, and bakery items were seized and destroyed. The inspections also extended to cold storage and distribution centres that supply perishables to many of the city's hotels. This incident sheds light on the misconception that five-star ratings equate to food safety, as the rating system primarily focuses on facilities and services, not food handling practices. The Food Safety and Standards Act enforces food safety regulations separately, and it appears that several luxury hotels in Bengaluru may be falling short in this area. A study of hospitality professionals found insufficient food-safety knowledge, indicating a need for improved training across the industry to ensure the safety of dining patrons.