Heston Blumenthal shuts down his Dinner restaurant after vomiting virus outbreak

Heston Blumenthal apologised to his customers over his restaurant which is expected to remain closed for a week.

14:19 03 February 2014

Following a vomiting virus outbreak, Heston Blumenthal has shut down his London restaurant after 24 diners and 21 members of staff were taken ill. 

 

The culinary alchemist also apologised to customers at the exclusive two-Michelin starred Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel. The restaurant will remain closed for a week. 

 

“I am very sorry for the inconvenience to those customers affected by cancellations,” he said. “However, I will reopen the restaurant safe in the knowledge that we have done everything we can do to continue to strive to create the perfect environment and food for my guests to enjoy.”

 

James Armitage, Westminster City Council’s food safety manager, said: “Test results this week have shown that there has been an outbreak of norovirus at the Dinner restaurant. The operators have now temporarily closed the restaurant and we believe this is the responsible thing to do.

 

“Westminster City Council food safety officers have already carried out a thorough inspection of both the restaurant premises and working practices and will continue to work closely with... the restaurant operators until the restaurant is given the all-clear. We have already asked the restaurant to improve some of its hygiene procedures.