Los Angeles, CA — A celebration of Southern California’s best restaurants turned into a nightmare for dozens of attendees after a norovirus outbreak at the Los Angeles Times’ 101 Best Restaurants event earlier this month. At least 80 people reported severe stomach-related illnesses, including painful cramps, nausea, and vomiting.
Among those affected was Mark Kapczynski, who described the experience as the worst illness he’s ever endured.
“It was pretty painful, probably the most painful experience I have ever had,” Kapczynski said.
Unexpected Illness at a High-End Event
Kapczynski and his wife attended the highly anticipated food-tasting festival, showcasing top restaurants across Southern California. They visited Providence, a world-renowned restaurant known for its fresh seafood.
“We visited Providence, which is a world-class restaurant serving fresh oysters and clams with different sauces, and I ended up having two plates very quickly,” he recalled.
However, soon after eating, Kapczynski felt bloated, and by the next day, his symptoms had worsened.
“The abdominal pain had me curled up in a ball with tremendous chills — I just couldn’t get comfortable,” he explained.
Investigation Underway
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is now investigating the outbreak, identifying 80 confirmed cases so far. Emergency room physician Dr. Ali Jamehdor explained that norovirus linked to oysters can cause severe symptoms.
“Oysters seem to hit patients hard when they come into the ER — they’re very, very ill,” Dr. Jamehdor said. “Vomiting, diarrhea, and significant abdominal cramping are common. It’s all due to a bug called Vibrio, a specific bacteria found in oysters that causes serious illness.”
Source of the Outbreak
Providence restaurant stated that the oysters served at the event came from farms near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Health inspectors onsite approved all food handling and serving procedures.
“The nature of norovirus is such that it would be undetectable to the vendor, the restaurant, or the health inspectors, as it does not affect the appearance, odor, or flavor of the shellfish,” the restaurant explained in a statement.
Ten days after the event, the California Department of Public Health issued a statewide alert regarding Canadian oysters, warning that they could cause illness.
Health Precautions
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that people infected with norovirus can experience symptoms for 12 to 48 hours. Health officials recommend thorough handwashing and cooking shellfish properly to prevent the spread of the virus.
KCAL News reached out to the Los Angeles Times for comment but has not yet received a response.
Kapczynski, still recovering from the illness, reflected on the unexpected ordeal.
“Certainly never thought it was the 101 event — these restaurants are too good. It couldn’t possibly be that,” he said.
As the investigation continues, health officials are urging anyone who attended the event and experienced similar symptoms to seek medical attention and report their illness to local health authorities.