Famous chefs seem to have the same problem as mere mortals when it comes to having food handlers show up to work ill. It’s a bad idea and a risk factor for foodborne illnesses. In 2009, Heston Blumenthal’s fancy pants Fat Duck restaurant was linked to a massive norovirus outbreak. A report in Epidemiology and Infection concluded that 591 people were sickened, the restaurant failed to notify public health types as dozens of complaints poured in, hired its own food safety consultant, did a deep clean, and then temporarily closed.

Heston blamed the oysters; public health officials fingered ill employees.

An ill employee mighta, sorta, be the source of another celeb chef outbreak, according to health officials. This time in George Calombaris’ restaurant Hellenic Republic in Melbourne. According to Mail Online, After 90 reported illnesses in May (initially thought to be Salmonella, but confirmed as norovirus) after eating Mothers’ Day meal at the restaurant.

Health Department spokesman Bram Alexander said the department’s tests determined norovirus, a common and highly contagious cause of gastroenteritis, as the cause of the illness.

‘Of the 300-plus diners we interviewed, around 90 reported illness, which could have been associated with eating at Hellenic Republic Kew,’ Mr Alexander said.

Mr Alexander added it was ‘likely’  to have come from an infected food handler at the restaurant.

Mr Calombaris, a co-owner of the restaurant, previously issued a statement saying his Kew team had been ‘absolutely devastated by the recent events’.

‘I am so sorry for those poor people that have been affected and to those inconvenienced by us taking precautionary measures and closing down the venue,’ he said.