Culture Food & Travel News & features

The Fat Duck closes for two weeks after Covid-19 outbreak among staff

The Fat Duck closes for two weeks after Covid-19 outbreak among staff
The Fat Duck closes for two weeks after Covid-19 outbreak among staff

On the record day for positive coronavirus cases in the UK, Heston Blumenthal’s world famous The Fat Duck announces a two-week closure in order to complete the staff’s self-isolation after multiple team members were tested positive for Covid-19.

Bray’s revered restaurant is the first three-michelin-star business to temporarily close because of a coronavirus outbreak. To celebrate their silver anniversary, The Fat Duck was currently serving Volume I of Anthology: “The new Anthology menu series launched to celebrate our 25th anniversary allows guests to walk in Heston’s shoes and be taken on a journey through his culinary adventures whilst experiencing some of the dishes which led to The Fat Duck’s world-famous success. The original version of Sound of yhe Sea was first part of our menu back in 2007. Sound plays a key role in this dish as it helps create a multisensorial experience by transporting our guests through their memories to a time spent by the seaside.”

While contacting the guests who were expected to dine in Bray tonight, the reservations team said: “As we all know only too well, coronavirus pandemic is extremely difficult to control and stop spreading. Unfortunately, we have now been affected, in the past few days, a number of employees have returned positive tests, which has resulted in them self-isolating at home.”

“At the Fat Duck we pride ourselves on providing the very best experience but more importantly the wellbeing of our guests and staff always comes first. Therefore, we have decided to close the restaurant as of 14th October for the self-isolation period. We have made this proactive decision which we hope will act as a circuit-breaker and ensure Covid-19 doesn’t spread to our other staff and future guests. Subsequently, your upcoming booking on 10/14/2020 6:15:00 PM will not be going ahead.”

The editorial unit

More in Food & Drinks

Kappa FuturFestival debuts fine dining restaurant with Michelin-starred chefs for 2026 edition

Food & Travel Desk

Three new rooftop bars and restaurants set to open at reimagined Olympia London this June

Food & Travel Desk

Historic Palazzo Genazzini in Bellagio to reopen as boutique hotel after major restoration

Food & Travel Desk

No.3 London Dry Gin unveils Martini-themed afternoon tea bus tour for one night only in May 2026

Food & Travel Desk

National Walking Month: UK and Ireland restaurants spotlight scenic routes for food-loving ramblers

Food & Travel Desk

Tewinbury Farm unveils chocolate afternoon tea with acclaimed chocolatier Paul A Young

Food & Travel Desk

Xi Home Dumplings and Shogun Sakes debut sake-forward cocktail pairing menu in Spitalfields

Food & Travel Desk

Sainsbury’s celebrates 25 years of MSC-certified seafood as UK spending on sustainable fish hits £1.7bn

Food & Travel Desk

St Martin-in-the-Fields to transform into Lost Oasis summer garden with food, sport and music on Trafalgar Square

Food & Travel Desk