599915 Sat Feb 28 03:21:40 -0800 2009 9 42 U.K./Ireland 0 4459952 According to The Independent this morning (Saturday), the Fat Duck is closed until further notice. It closed after service on Sunday and didn't reopen. The story, which fills the whole of page 3 (cheap sun joke here) is that diners have been complaining of illness for the past few weeks - about 40 in total - and they have decided to close the restaurant until they can work out what is causing it. Loads of quotes from Heston, good PR job about not putting customers at risk etc. 'Flu like symptoms' was the description of the illness. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/was-it-the-snail-porridge-diners-mystery-illness-forces-fat-duck-to-close-1634228.html Note to overseas chowers - the Independent is a respectable newspaper and the story was on C4 news as weel. Sat Feb 28 03:21:40 -0800 2009 236726 mr_gimlet 1 4493524 Anyone know anymore on this yet? I know the place is still closed but things seem to have gone quiet as to what has caused the closure and when it may open again. I really feel for Heston, and for those who would have booked ages ago for the amazing Fat Duck experience. Wed Mar 11 04:06:15 -0700 2009 4459952 147975 pj26 2 4493547 There is no confirmed re-opening date from what I can tell. However, there has been some criticism of the lack of communication eg their web page, which claims to be current, makes no reference to the closure. That said, it's difficult PR anyway - I was going to make a booking for May in a few days so I will see if their booking lines are open. Wed Mar 11 04:32:11 -0700 2009 4493524 236726 mr_gimlet 2 4493672 The other day I heard something about how all the staff, food etc. was throughly tested and so far there are no answers to why so many people got ill. The usual suspect is salmonella either in food or from a food handler, although these days gloves are usually worn. It's quite a mystery. Wed Mar 11 06:06:32 -0700 2009 4493524 11939 zuriga1 3 4494132 There was a good article the other day by Tim Hayward in the Guardian on how it could just be a result of people eating rich food they arent used to - he called it HERBS (High End Restaurant Blowout Syndrome). I wont go in to the gory details - you can read it here http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2009/mar/06/heston-blumenthal-food-poisoning-fat-duck Since they cant seem to find a definite cause, it could be a valid explanation, and not unique to the Fat Duck. Wed Mar 11 08:42:18 -0700 2009 4493672 147975 pj26 4 4494212 maybe a week ago I'd buy that, but not the current numbers - though I think there are some opportunists in the current 400 the food safety bulletins (I know, but its my job) are strongly suggesting norwalk virus, which is the virus that sweeps cruise ships periodically Wed Mar 11 09:06:00 -0700 2009 4494132 236726 mr_gimlet 5 4494294 Interesting how the number jumped from 40 to 400 after Heston announced he will compensate with a free meal! I hope for his sake they get to the bottom of it soon - is the norwalk virus not traceable? Wed Mar 11 09:30:48 -0700 2009 4494212 147975 pj26 4 4494253 yeah I read that. seems quite a lazy inspiration for an article. thought it was a bit of nonsense to be honest. but that might just be me. Wed Mar 11 09:19:10 -0700 2009 4494132 247185 batfink23 4 4494494 I highly doubt these people had HERBS (lucky how that one worked out!). I come from a medical background, and that sort of thing, if it exists at all, would not suddenly occur and in those numbers. It's true that food high in fat can cause problems, especially if one has certain diseases or had various surgeries. A viral thing seems much more likely. Wed Mar 11 10:23:19 -0700 2009 4494132 11939 zuriga1 1 4495535 Looks like it's opening tomorrow. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2009/mar/11/fat-duck-reopen Wed Mar 11 14:43:11 -0700 2009 4459952 160454 zedman_1