Woman dies after eating mushrooms at Michelin-starred restaurant in Spain

A file image of a chef chopping morel mushrooms. A woman died after eating a 'poisonous' rice and morchella fungi dish in a Michelin-starred restaurant in Valencia
AFP/Getty Images
James Morris21 February 2019

A woman has died and 10 others were taken ill after eating mushrooms at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

The woman, who has been named as 46-year-old María Jesús Fernández Calvo, is said to have died after eating a rice and morchella fungi dish.

Las Provincias reported she had gone to Riff restaurant in Valenica, Spain, with her husband and 12-year-old son on Saturday afternoon.

She was said to have suffered “profuse” diarrhoea and vomiting soon after leaving, and died on Sunday.

Riff has since closed as the authorities investigate the woman's death.

Chef Bernd Knöller told said in a statement: “Regardless of the reason that may have caused this situation, I want to convey my deep regret for what happened, hoping that soon all these facts can be clarified.”

He added: “I have made the decision that the restaurant remains closed until the causes of what happened are established and the activity can be resumed with full guarantees for both staff and all customers.”

Mr Knöller said he is fully co-operating with the authorities.

Regional health chief Ana Barceló said: "“We’ve conducted a primary inspection of the establishment and everything appears to be normal.”

“Analytical tests will now be carried out on the food products.”

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