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Chef says he is 'erring on the side of extreme caution' after two diners and three staff were found to have winter vomiting bug
Food poisoning has a habit of repeating on you, as Heston Blumenthal– top chef and creator of original and expensive menus – has found to his cost.
Dinner, one of Britain's most exclusive eateries, in Knightsbridge, central London, has fallen foul of the same winter-vomiting bug that hit the chef's Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, five years ago.
Yesterday, Blumenthal closed Dinner for a week to ensure it was "completely safe and norovirus free" after five customers and staff were confirmed to have the highly contagious infection. In all, 10 customers had reported feeling unwell in recent days.
Environmental health officers have told staff at the two Michelin star restaurant to wash their hands more often, an embarrassing order for those preparing evening starters beginning at £12 and main courses ranging up to £42. A three-course set lunch in the restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is a more economic £38.
Apologising to customers for their cancelled reservations, Blumenthal said: "We understand how contagious this winter flu bug can be and will take every precaution necessary to protect our guests."
The restaurant had first called in council officers after diners had said they felt ill but initial results of tests had proved negative, Blumenthal said. The restaurant was advised that the situation was contained and closure was not necessary. After "a six day period of quiet", said Blumenthal, another guest said they had felt unwell after dining and the restaurant had contacted officials once more. This time infections were confirmed.
Blumenthal had earlier told the Mail on Sunday: "We are in a unique position of having an insight into the behaviour of this bug and I will always err on the side of extreme caution. As the Who sang, 'I won't get fooled again'."
James Armitage, Westminster council's food safety manager, said: "Test results … have shown that there has been an outbreak of norovirus at the Dinner restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Knightsbridge. The operators have now temporarily closed the restaurant and we believe this is the responsible thing to do."
Officials had already inspected the restaurant premises and working practices and "will continue to work closely with Public Health England and the restaurant operators until the restaurant is given the all-clear", said Armitage.
"We have already asked the restaurant to improve some of its hygiene procedures – including telling staff to wash their hands more often. All the changes were made immediately."
A spokeswoman for Blumenthal said staff who felt sick did not report for work and did not return to work for three days after symptoms cleared up.
Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant was hit by an outbreak involving at least 240 people in 2009. It was later said to be the worst norovirus contamination at a restaurant.
