What the Puck?

Wolfgang PuckThe clock is ticking for people who attended 13 events catered by uber-chef Wolfgang Puck, after one of Puck's employees was diagnosed with Hepatitis A. So why won't Puck fully disclose which events are at the center of this health crisis?

TMZ spoke with a Puck rep a few minutes ago, who said they made the Sports Illustrated public because of the large number of people who attended. The rep added that her company would not disclose the other 13 events "for privacy reasons."

The rep says that the other 13 parties were "smaller," though we're told that several of the events were high-profile, with celebrity guests. TMZ asked the question, what if a guest invited a friend and that friend had no idea that Puck was catering the party? The rep said that the people who planned the other 13 events have been notified and now it's the Health Department's business to notify the guests, not theirs. But TMZ pressed on -- what if the Health Department could not get in touch with some of the guests who brought friends?

The Puck rep had no answer and would not say how large the events were, and whether they were thrown by businesses or individuals. TMZ will press today to reveal the remaining 13 events.

Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 2) Previous 15 Comments

16. I have no respect for this man, he promotes the most horrid killings of innocent DUCKS!

SAY NO TO FOI GRAS!!!!

Maybe someone needs to jam a tube and forced food down his throat so his liver can gorge itself, and then he can eat it....

BOYCOTT anything Wlofgang Puck sells!!!

Posted at 11:15AM on Feb 28th 2007 by micha2

17. Yes they should notify everyone who attended the party, but not publicly. The question in the pole is a loaded question. Or there should be a follow up. Should they notify everyone who attended the party that they need to be tested for hepatitis A? Yes. Should the list be publicized so reporters can trick down the people on the list and get into their personal business? No. If you had attended that party, would you want the whole world to know?

Posted at 2:00PM on Feb 28th 2007 by Jon

18. Their is no law that requires Mr. Puck to release the list. This a private
"HEALTH" issue for those who maybe affected. Sure all the respective Health Departments should be made aware of who was in attendence. After this it is the responsibility of all news sources to release a story of the potential outbreak as they did. After that the respective health departments will make a very strong and consistent attempts at contacting all people in attendence. Trust me, I recently went through this with the County of LA Health Dept. (I was potentially exposed to TB so I was tested, I worked at a Chain Hotel) so I know what I am talking about. Once you make contact with the Health board and you don't follow thier treatment plan (for me a 9 month program) you can be arrested for being a public nuisance.

Posted at 11:11AM on Feb 28th 2007 by MAS

19. He is required to make disclosure to the health department and not the press. If he is confident that his staff can inform everyone that attended the events of the possible exposure without making the guest lists public then he should. I am impressed that he is taking the privacy of the guests under consideration in handling this matter.

Posted at 11:09AM on Feb 28th 2007 by Trish

20. Guess that's what you get for hiring illegal workers for cheap kitchen labor.

Posted at 11:11AM on Feb 28th 2007 by Dr. Hep

21. You're all freaking out. Read the story -- "the people who planned the other 13 events have been notified." Puck doesn't have the names of the people who attended the events -- the event organizers have the names. He's a caterer, not the guy who made up the guest list. Puck has informed all the organizers about the risk, and it's up to them (and Public Health) to contact the invited attendees. TMZ just wants to get the celebs names so that's why they're trying to make a story out of this.
Sometimes I think you guys just make comments based on other comments, but never read the story.

Posted at 11:42AM on Feb 28th 2007 by Hep Cat

22. Are you people stupid?? How was Puck to know? You do not have the right to question ones health status! And as soon as the person knew he told! Holy shit there is allot of ignorant people in this site. I do think the appropriate people will be informed. As well as the hosts of all these parties will know. TMZ just likes to be "the whistle-blower" . Or at least they like to look that way!

Posted at 12:17PM on Feb 28th 2007 by HELLO!!!!!! Does anyone have a brain here!

23. I agree completely #7! As for Puck, he's a jerk who continues to buy foie gras even though it's made by cramming steel pipes down the throats of ducks. After finding that out I avoid any products with this idiot's name on them.

Posted at 2:46PM on Feb 28th 2007 by Rachel

24. Hello all

For those who are freaking out about the Hepatitis A - please relax - Hepatitis A is the most common type - the best way to find out if you have it - please check your urine color - if it looks like coca-cola - go to the doctor because you have it. And the best way to cure it is doing an special diet - no fries and junk food.
Why the media freaks everybody out - the problem here is that we are not used to deal with these type of things and we get paranoid.

Posted at 3:47PM on Feb 28th 2007 by Oscar

25. The lawyers are in conference with the money as we speak

Posted at 8:27AM on Mar 1st 2007 by wink

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