Heston Blumenthal unlikely to reopen Fat Duck this week

Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal is unlikely to reopen his three-Michelin starred restaurant the Fat Duck this week.

Blumenthal, chef-proprietor of the iconic restaurant in Bray, Berkshire, closed the Fat Duck last Tuesday after up to 40 diners were afflicted with a mystery illness resulting in vomiting and diarrhoea.

Environmental health inspectors were called in to scour the restaurant kitchens for signs of malpractice last Wednesday.

However, so far all test results have come back clear, with Blumenthal insisting that "absolutely no food poisoning organisms have been found". Further tests are being carried out.

Today a spokesman told the Daily TelegraphBlumenthal was "upset" and "frustrated" by the health scare. "We are still waiting for the final results to come back but all tests so far have been negative," he said.

"We will not be opening tonight and it is unlikely that The Fat Duck will open tomorrow."

Blumenthal admitted that the decision to shut the restaurant was a "massive financial hit" but insisted it was the right choice.

He said: "I have serious regrets about the whole situation and it's been deeply upsetting. But closing the restaurant was morally and technically the only option."

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By Kerstin Kühn

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