A Michelin-star chef was sentenced to three months in an Italian prison after he served 53 wedding guests raw clams that were infected with norovirus, according to a report.
Chef Marco Sacco and manager Raffaella Marchetti were convicted of culpable negligence and trading harmful foodstuffs, two years after a disastrous wedding held at the chef's lakeside Piccolo Lago di Verbania restaurant.
Sacco served dozens of guests risotto with clams that were tainted by the infectious stomach virus. A number of guests complained of vomiting and diarrhea and some were even hospitalized, according to People.
In court, the chef argued that his supplier was culpable for the incident - adding that he had served similar dishes in the past without guests becoming ill.
"The menu included a risotto with borage and raw clams. We bought clams that can be eaten raw, as the manufacturer's label shows and as shown in the product data sheet," said Sacco, according to the Italian newspaper la Repubblica.
"They are clams that I have been using since 2015. Since I have this supplier, I will have served over three thousand dishes like that."
Sacco is also facing a penalty of more than 20,000 euros - with €8000 going to the couple and €250 going to each wedding guest. He is also responsible for paying legal fees, according to la Repubblica.
Sacco plans to appeal the court's decision and open his restaurant for the spring in the coming weeks, according to People.
