Rodents Spotted at Celebrity Chef's Airport Eatery
A shocking mouse infestation has been uncovered at Gordon Ramsay's prestigious Plane Food restaurant in Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. A holidaymaker captured disturbing footage showing rodents freely roaming the dining area, raising serious concerns about hygiene standards at the celebrity chef's establishment.
Diner's Horrifying Discovery
Alessandro Mele, a 54-year-old from Eastbourne, East Sussex, made the alarming discovery while waiting for his 10pm flight on 4 November. The traveller, who was en route to Argentina and Brazil with his wife Zoe, initially thought he was imagining things when he spotted movement from the corner of his eye.
"The third time I turned around and I saw a mouse going the whole way round to another table," Mr Mele recounted. "I got up and shouted 'oh my God it's a mouse' and other diners saw it as well." The couple were reportedly "absolutely stunned" by the incident, particularly when the waitress responded with a casual "oh yes" when informed about the rodent problem.
Management's Concerning Response
Even more alarming than the initial discovery was the restaurant management's reaction. When Mr Mele approached the manager about the issue, he was told that staff were already aware of the mice and that it was "nothing major." The manager explained that someone comes in at night to check for pests, but this did little to reassure the concerned diner.
Mr Mele expressed his disbelief, noting the irony given Gordon Ramsay's television persona as a hygiene perfectionist. "Gordon Ramsay has programmes of shutting down restaurants because of how dirty they are," he remarked. Although the restaurant offered to waive the bill for his uneaten burger, Mr Mele stressed that "it's not about that" but rather the potential health risks before his "trip of a lifetime."
Restaurant's Reputation at Stake
The incident poses significant questions about hygiene standards at the establishment, which boasts a 4.1-star TripAdvisor rating and markets itself as a "stylish restaurant and bar with superior dining and airport views." Mr Mele reported seeing "at least three" separate rodents during his visit and has since contacted management via email, receiving assurances that the matter would be investigated.
The Gordon Ramsay Restaurant Group has been approached for comment regarding the infestation at their Heathrow location. This incident serves as a stark reminder that even high-profile restaurants in premium locations must maintain rigorous hygiene standards to protect their customers and reputation.
