Hero Wahaca boss saves life of diner choking on salad

Cool and collected: Wahaca customer Philippa Stratford, left, was saved by the quick action of Federica Meneghello
Isobel Frodsham11 February 2019

A restaurant manager saved the life of a diner choking on a salad.

Federica Meneghello, 25, put her first aid training into action when Philippa Stratford turned red and struggled to breathe at Wahaca in Stratford.

She performed the Heimlich manoeuvre in front of stunned customers during Wednesday lunch service.

Miss Meneghello said: “I got to the table and saw she was red in the face and couldn’t breathe. Then I did the manoeuvre Wahaca taught us at first aid training and after three times she spat it out. She said she felt okay, and I told her to sip water slowly and gave her some milk. I just tried to reassure her.”

Ms Meneghello, who moved to London from Rome six years ago, said it was her first time performing the Heimlich manoeuvre — repeated abdominal thrusts — since learning it when she joined three years ago.

She added: “I’ve practised it at first aid courses but I’ve never had to use it. I was a bit scared because I wasn’t sure if it would work. We tried it on mannequins and each other but none were actually choking.

“I haven’t been a hero. I’ve just done what a normal person would’ve done which is don’t let someone else die, especially not in front of you. I just tried to do my best and help her as much as I could. I’m so pleased she’s fine and there have been no repercussions.”

Philippa Stratford

Mrs Stratford, a mother and Transport for London worker who lives in Barnet, said: “It was just out of the blue and really scary.

“The salad caught the back of my throat and I realised I couldn’t breathe. I thought about my husband and my little girl and panicked. Federica was so calm, cool and collected and completely dislodged it. I felt really embarrassed like I’d made a big fuss, but she was wonderful. I’ve got a three-year-old daughter and later on I was really shaken. I just thought, ‘that could’ve been it.’ More of us should be first aid trained.”

Mexican street food chain Wahaca was founded by 2005 MasterChef winner Thomasina Miers and Mark Selby 12 years ago. Mr Selby said: “We’re so proud of Federica and the whole team at Wahaca Stratford on their quick reactions.

“We train all of our mangers in first aid, so we’re delighted that it was put to good use. We would also like to say a big thank you to Philippa for taking the time to come back to our team in Stratford and say thank you — it meant so much to them.”

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