LOS ANGELES A prep cook for Wolfgang Puck Catering who worked several high-power Hollywood events last month may have infected some partygoers with hepatitis A, health officials here said.
The Los Angeles County Department of Health sent notices on Feb. 28 to guests of events where the cook worked, alerting them that the cook had acute hepatitis A and urging anyone who ate uncooked foods to get vaccinated against the disease. One of those events was the Sports Illustrated swimsuit party, which was attended by actress-singer and issue cover subject Beyonce Knowles. The infected individual also worked three other parties between Feb. 14 and Feb. 20.
The risk of contracting hepatitis A was "quite low," and none of the company's restaurants or supermarket products were affected, Puck Catering president Carl Schuster said in a prepared statement.
He added that the company was "working closely with health officials" to contact all persons who ate food prepared in the company's Hollywood kitchens from Feb. 1 to Feb. 20. Schuster said the cook was placed on medical leave and that "exceptional procedures" have been taken "to disinfect the kitchens and food-processing areas.
"Our catering efforts continue and we remain confident that our guests will receive the highest standards of excellence for which Wolfgang Puck is known," Schuster said.
Wolfgang Puck Catering is owned and operated by renowned celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck in partnership with Charlotte, N.C.-based contract foodservice company Compass Group PLC.
