After the huge amount of press that a breakout of the norovirus at Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck in 2009 got - it's particularly bad news for Heston that today sees his London restaurant Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental shut down for the very same reasons.
Apparently 20 diners and 21 staff have been taken ill according to BBC News, and we'll have to see if that number rises over the next few days.
The Daily Mail, which broke the story, goes on to report that symptoms were first discovered two weeks ago, after which they called in Westminster council. As soon as the Norovirus was confirmed, the restaurant was shut down by Heston himself, who said to the Mail, "'I personally have the experience and knowledge about this winter bug and how to contain it immediately."
In the meantime, the restaurant will be closed all week and is currently due to re-open on the 9th. Heston himself has a busy year ahead, with plans to open in Australia as well as a new restaurant at Heathrow's Terminal 2.
