Hepatitis outbreak at Puck's place *

A worker at the Wolfgang Puck Catering Company in Hollywood has been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A, causing the county health department to begin contacting attendees at catered events held between Feb. 14-20. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition party at the Pacific Design Center on Feb. 14 had the largest crowd that might be affected; anyone who ate uncooked food there is urged to get a dose of immune globulin.

* Puck dodges a bullet: Reps for Carl Schuster, president of Wolfgang Puck Catering, email (with my emphasis added): "The health and safety of our guests and our associates is the highest priority at Wolfgang Puck Catering. To that end, we practice industry-leading standards of hygiene and safety at all of our food preparation facilities. We are working closely, and in full cooperation, with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services after one prep cook at our Hollywood kitchen had a confirmed diagnosis of Hepatitis A. The individual was placed on medical leave and we immediately worked to take every precaution to further safeguard our patrons and other employees. We are currently working with the Health Department to ensure that anyone who may have eaten food prepared at our Hollywood kitchen and served at one of our 13 events between Feb. 1 to Feb. 20 is aware of the Health Department alert. The infected employee was not involved with any food preparation for events over the weekend serviced by Wolfgang Puck Catering, including the Governors Ball at the Academy Awards."