Fat Duck's takings thin out

The Michelin-starred restaurant that introduced diners to the delights of bacon and egg ice-cream has gone into the red.

The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, recorded a £78,229 loss in the 12 months to March last year, compared to a profit of £35,783 in 2003-4.

The losses come after the restaurant's owner, chef Heston Blumenthal, and his wife Susanna paid themselves a dividend of £48,000 each.

They also had to invest in new kitchen equipment after the Fat Duck failed council hygiene tests.

It has now been given a clean bill of health by inspectors, but its financial health is less rosey despite recently being voted the best restaurant in the world by industry experts.

The Fat Duck's ground-breaking menu, which includes dishes such as snail porridge and sardines-on-toast sorbet, became legendary after it was awarded its third Michelin star in January 2004.

Blumenthal, 39, uses scientific principles to study the chemical processes involved in cooking, allowing him to create new combinations of flavours. The London-born chef will star in a new BBC2 series this summer.