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20/03/2009
Blumenthal Blames 'Norovirus' For Fat Duck Closure
Around 400 diners who fell ill after eating at The Fat Duck restaurant may have been affected by the highly contagious "norovirus" bug, the owner has said.
Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal temporarily shut the restaurant, in Bray, Berkshire, from February 24 for two weeks after diners fell ill.
Blumenthal, 42, highly regarded as one of the world's greatest chef's, told Australia's Hospitality magazine the cause was "categorically not food poisoning".
He added that support for the £130-a-head Michelin star restaurant had been "incredible", but it had been a costly experience.
He said: "It has affected the restaurant big time because we had to cancel 800 people because of the closure, but in terms of the business - and people wanting to come in - then no."
He also said a number of customers and staff had "tested positively for norovirus".
Norovirus, commonly known as the "winter vomiting disease", is the most frequent cause of stomach bugs in the UK.
Defending his restaurant's reputation, he went on: "For the last five years we've been sending food off every month for sampling and I don't know any other restaurant in the country that does that.
"We also have a company that has been looking after all our health and safety stuff for the last five years."
The Health Protection Agency - which said it had received a total of 400 complaints after the media publicity - gave the all clear for the eatery while investigations were continuing.
A statement released said: "Results of some tests are still awaited and the detailed questioning of people who reported illness is likely to continue for some weeks in order to build a more complete picture."
(JM/BMcC)
Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal temporarily shut the restaurant, in Bray, Berkshire, from February 24 for two weeks after diners fell ill.
Blumenthal, 42, highly regarded as one of the world's greatest chef's, told Australia's Hospitality magazine the cause was "categorically not food poisoning".
He added that support for the £130-a-head Michelin star restaurant had been "incredible", but it had been a costly experience.
He said: "It has affected the restaurant big time because we had to cancel 800 people because of the closure, but in terms of the business - and people wanting to come in - then no."
He also said a number of customers and staff had "tested positively for norovirus".
Norovirus, commonly known as the "winter vomiting disease", is the most frequent cause of stomach bugs in the UK.
Defending his restaurant's reputation, he went on: "For the last five years we've been sending food off every month for sampling and I don't know any other restaurant in the country that does that.
"We also have a company that has been looking after all our health and safety stuff for the last five years."
The Health Protection Agency - which said it had received a total of 400 complaints after the media publicity - gave the all clear for the eatery while investigations were continuing.
A statement released said: "Results of some tests are still awaited and the detailed questioning of people who reported illness is likely to continue for some weeks in order to build a more complete picture."
(JM/BMcC)
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