Food poisoning scare closes Fat Duck

LONDON, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The prestigious Fat Duck restaurant in Bray, England, has closed after a food poisoning episode, renowned chef Heston Blumenthal says.

Blumenthal said he was forced to close down his Michelin-starred eatery this week after at least 30 Fat Duck customers complained of feeling ill after eating there, The Daily Telegraph reported Friday.

"All that we try to do is give the best possible experience to our customers and we don't want anyone to feel remotely uncomfortable, let alone unwell," Blumenthal said of his restaurant staff. "We put so much time and effort and work into providing the best quality we can. But I don't know what else to do but close the restaurant."

Blumenthal, whose restaurant had earned three stars from the Michelin tourist guide book, said the source of the illness remains a mystery as initial product tests have all come back negative.

The chef did admit to the Telegraph that closing the Fat Duck, which he opened in 1995, on Tuesday would prove costly.

"It's very financially damaging, but my first concern before anything else is the customers," he said.