Heston Blumenthal apologies to ill customers

TV chef Heston Blumenthal, who closed his award-winning restaurant after an outbreak of norovirus in February, today apologised to more than 500 diners who were taken ill.

The "culinary alchemist" said he was devastated by what had happened, and had now written a letter to each customer, offering a complimentary meal at the Fat Duck.

This follows the publication of a report compiled by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) which found that raw shellfish served at the famous Berkshire restaurant had been contaminated with human sewage.

The three Michelin star Fat Duck, in Bray, was closed for more than two weeks after about 40 diners complained they had fallen ill.

Over a period of several weeks, more customers were struck down with vomiting and diarrhoea - taking the total number of diners who reported symptoms to 529.

Investigators later concluded that norovirus was brought into the restaurant by contaminated shellfish.

This, combined with ailing restaurant staff and the use of unsuitable cleaning products, exacerbated the impact of the outbreak.

In its report, published earlier this month, the HPA also found some employees had returned to work too early after contracting the bug.

Today the restaurant responded to the findings which it said were "flawed in a number of areas".

A spokesman said: "Although both the experts appointed by The Fat Duck and their insurers, AXA Insurance, believe that the HPA report was flawed in a number of areas, the report was accurate in indicating that the source of the infection was from a number of batches of oysters purchased from a highly reputable supplier.

"We were one of several restaurants that suffered as a result.

"The HPA report quite clearly indicates that the ultimate responsibility for the outbreak must sit with the supplier and the local water authority."

The response comes just over two weeks after the HPA announced its findings.

A restaurant spokesman said an earlier apology would not have been "appropriate" or "possible" because legal advisers and insurers required time to consider the report's contents.

The spokesman added: "The enjoyment of the dining experience at The Fat Duck is of the utmost importance to the all whole team.

"We were devastated that some of our guests had suffered such unpleasant symptoms.

"Therefore, irrespective of liability, we would like to offer all those customers our sincerest apologies and invite them to return to The Fat Duck at their convenience."

Blumenthal has now written to every diner affected by the outbreak.

The letter reads: "I am so sorry that I have not been able to write before.

"I have wanted to contact you personally for many months, ever since the problem first emerged.

"But I was advised by the official bodies carrying out the investigation, our lawyers and insurers, that I could not do so until both the factual and legal situation had been established."

Offering each customer a free meal, he concludes: "If this is not appropriate to you personally, please contact us and we will address each individual situation with our insurers."