Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville
Last inspected:
101 Se 2 Pl Ste 114, Gainesville, FL 32601Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville has accumulated 254 violations across 39 inspections since 2016, averaging 6.5 violations per visit. The facility was shut down once for rodent activity. Fire inspections documented propane tanks stored inside the building under two separate operators,Taste Elegant Catering in 2022 and Zen Creative Catering in 2022 and 2023,a hazard that persisted through the operator change at this location. Recent inspections from 2024 through 2025 show a pattern of repeated administrative complaints for continued non-compliance, with high-priority violations cited in eight of the last nine inspections.
Most recent closure: November 18, 2021 for rodent activity.
Summary generated from Florida DBPR public inspection records.
Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville: Comparison to Alachua County Averages
This Facility
6.5
violations / inspection
6.5 violations per inspection
Alachua County Avg
5.1
violations / inspection
5.1 county average
This Facility
1
emergency closures
1 closures
Alachua County Avg
0.23
closures / facility
0.23 county average
Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville: Emergency Closure History (1)
Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville: Fines & Disciplinary Actions (2)
Total fines on record: $360.00
| Action Date | Case Number | Fine | Violation Date | Enforcement Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5--2018004812 | $200.00 | Jan 12, 2018 | Fort Lauderdale | |
| 5--2017045648 | $160.00 | Aug 30, 2017 | Miami (Doral) |
Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville: Fire Safety & Life Safety Violations (3)
— 1 fire violation
— Routine - Food · 48-04-4 · Warning Issued
Inspector Observation: Propane tank (larger than 2.7 lb. water capacity/1 lb. gas capacity) located inside of the building. For reporting purposes only.
Observed 5 20# LP tanks in storage area. Manager had tanks removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
Legal Basis: Reporting: (d) The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments, and the identification of such violation does not require any firesafety inspection certification. For reporting purposes only.
— 2 fire violations
— Routine - Food · 48-04-4 · Administrative complaint recommended
Inspector Observation: Propane tank (larger than 2.7 lb. water capacity/1 lb. gas capacity) located inside of the building. For reporting purposes only.
Propane tanks stored in front area near bar. **Repeat Violation**
Legal Basis: Reporting: (d) The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments, and the identification of such violation does not require any firesafety inspection certification. For reporting purposes only.
— Routine - Food · 48-04-4 · Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Inspector Observation: Propane tank (larger than 2.7 lb. water capacity/1 lb. gas capacity) located inside of the building. For reporting purposes only.
Observed 4 propane tanks stored in dry storage.
Legal Basis: Reporting: (d) The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments, and the identification of such violation does not require any firesafety inspection certification. For reporting purposes only.
Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville: Full Inspection History — DBPR (39)
— 1 inspection8 violations · 3 high priority
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 4 inspections22 violations · 16 high priority
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Routine - Food· 10 violations (7 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Routine - Food· 12 violations (9 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 4 inspections25 violations · 14 high priority
— Routine - Food· 14 violations (7 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Routine - Food· 9 violations (6 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Basic Violations
— 4 inspections25 violations · 13 high priority
— Routine - Food· 13 violations (7 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Routine - Food· 12 violations (6 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 2 inspections14 violations · 7 high priority
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (4 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 6 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 4 inspections14 violations · 10 high priority
— Routine - Food· 2 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (6 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (2 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 1 inspection2 violations
— Routine - Food· 2 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— 3 inspections15 violations · 5 high priority
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— Food-Licensing Inspection· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied
— Food-Licensing Inspection· 10 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
— 7 inspections26 violations · 10 high priority
— Food-Licensing Inspection· 1 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 11 violations (6 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Admin. Complaint Callback Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Admin. Complaint Callback Complied
No violations recorded for this inspection.
— Routine - Food· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied
— Routine - Food· 3 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending
Intermediate Violations
— Routine - Food· 9 violations (4 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 7 inspections46 violations · 18 high priority
— Routine - Food· 2 violations · Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
— Routine - Food· 2 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending
— Routine - Food· 2 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 9 violations (4 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 10 violations (5 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— Routine - Food· 16 violations (8 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
— 2 inspections17 violations · 7 high priority
— Routine - Food· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied
— Routine - Food· 15 violations (7 high priority)· Warning Issued
High Priority Violations
Intermediate Violations
Basic Violations
Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville: Frequently Asked Questions
- When was Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville last inspected?
- Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville was last inspected by Florida DBPR on March 11, 2026. The result was: Inspection Completed - No Further Action.
- When was Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville last shut down?
- Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville was last shut down on November 18, 2021 for rodent activity. This data reflects state records at time of publication. The facility may have since resolved these issues.
- What are the most common violations at Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville?
- The most frequently cited violations at Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville are: Outer openings protected, Proper ventilation, Consumer advisory.
- How many health inspections has Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville had?
- Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville has had 39 inspections on record with Florida DBPR, averaging 6.5 violations per inspection, above the statewide average of 5.2.
- What did the most recent inspection of Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville find?
- Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville was most recently inspected on March 11, 2026 with 11 violation(s), including 1 high-priority violation(s). Disposition: Inspection Completed - No Further Action.
- Has Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville ever been shut down?
- Yes, Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville has been emergency-closed 1 time by Florida DBPR inspectors.
- What does Florida violation V02 (Employee health policy) mean?
- Violation 02 (Employee health policy) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/02.
- What does Florida violation V08 (Proper hand/arm washing) mean?
- Violation 08 (Proper hand/arm washing) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/08.
- What does Florida violation V14 (Food contact surfaces) mean?
- Violation 14 (Food contact surfaces) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/14.
- Has Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville had any fire safety violations?
- Yes, Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville has 3 fire safety violation(s) on record from Florida state fire inspections.
- Has Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville faced any disciplinary actions?
- Yes, Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville has 2 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR totaling $360.00 in fines.
- How much has Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville been fined?
- Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville has been fined a total of $360.00 across 2 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR.
- Has Zen Creative Catering in Gainesville operated under other names?
- Yes, this location previously operated as: Taste Elegant Catering (2022).
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Editorial Standards & Data Oversight
Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize complex regulatory data, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.
Disclaimer: All data reflects official state records at time of publication. Facilities may have since corrected cited violations, resolved enforcement actions, or changed ownership.
Editor: All content reviewed and verified by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with Zen Creative Catering. How we collect and verify this data.