A beloved Sydney yum cha restaurant, The Eight, has been temporarily closed after a massive food poisoning outbreak affected dozens of diners.
The incident occurred on January 28, during a Chinese New Year Eve banquet, leaving many families, including children and the elderly, with severe symptoms like vomiting, gastro, and fever.
What Happened at The Eight?
The restaurant, located in the heart of Sydney’s Haymarket, was bustling with customers celebrating the Lunar New Year.
Many families gathered for a lavish meal, but their festive occasion quickly turned into a nightmare. At least 11 tables of diners reported symptoms, with some groups experiencing vomiting, severe gastro, and fever.
One diner, Ms Liu, shared her horrific experience, saying her family of 12 had dinner at The Eight, and by Thursday morning, seven of them were hit with symptoms, including her two children, aged eight and 10.
The Aftermath
The affected diners took to social media and Google Maps to express their frustration, leaving one-star reviews and sharing their stories.
Some even posted doctor’s notes, showing they had to seek medical attention due to the severity of their symptoms.
The consequences were alarming, with some diners having to take time off work and others, like Ms Liu, rushing their babies to the hospital.
Demand for Answers
Ms Liu, who spent around $1300 on the New Year set menu banquet, is demanding answers from both The Eight and the NSW Food Authority. “At the very least, they should apologize,” she said.
“After all, it was the New Year, and we spent the first few days of it feeling unwell, suffering from vomiting and diarrhea.”
The Restaurant’s Response
Despite the growing complaints, The Eight has yet to formally respond. The owner, occupied with the opening of another restaurant, only commented that they are awaiting test results.
A note on the door says the restaurant is closed due to an “unforeseen kitchen issue.”
Investigation Underway
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has issued a Prohibition Order, and the restaurant will remain closed until the NSW Food Authority is satisfied that food safety requirements have been met.
The cause of the illness remains under investigation, with a detailed hygiene inspection of the restaurant and food and environmental samples obtained for testing.
What’s Next?
The Eight is co-operating with the investigation, but the incident has left a sour taste in the mouths of many. As one of Sydney’s most popular yum cha restaurants, The Eight has a reputation to uphold.
Only time will tell if they can bounce back from this food poisoning outbreak and regain the trust of their loyal customers.