Hundreds of 'World's Best Restaurant' Customers Sick

March 6, 2009— -- Celebrity Chef Heston Blumenthal, whose Berkshire, England, restaurant The Fat Duck has been called the best in the world, is facing a sickness scandal that could seriously damage his stellar reputation, as some 400 customers have fallen ill after eating there in the past two months.

The multiple award-winning Fat Duck, recipient of three Michelin stars and named Restaurant magazine's "World's Best Restaurant" in 2005, is helmed by master chef Blumenthal, who is famous from various TV shows in Britain.

On his latest show, "Heston's Victorian Feast," Blumenthal introduces himself as the chef of "one of the best restaurants in the world." But the chef known for creating eccentric dishes like Snails Porridge and Nitro-Scrambled Egg and Bacon Ice Cream has stayed mum since closing the restaurant nine days ago.

One customer who spoke to Sky News complained that the The Fat Duck had treated customers with "a lack of care and consideration" because they had not heard from Blumenthal after they became ill.

"We are entitled to an apology," boxing promoter Frank Warren told Sky.

While Blumenthal may not lose any Michelin stars over this incident, it is unlikely that it will be good for business. "Some people may not want to go back after this experience," Warren said.

A spokesperson for The Fat Duck told ABC News, "Currently we have no reason to believe that the illness amongst customers is caused by the food. It could very well be something else."

Local health authorities have been called in to to find the source of the illness and to ensure that any further risk is reduced.

"All restaurants receive calls at one point from customers who don't feel well after dining there. But usually that is one or two customers," said the restaurant spokesperson. "When the number started going up, chef Heston Blumenthal decided to close down the restaurant voluntarily, he wasn't obligated to. But his priority is customer experience after all."