Human excrement found in free gelato

October 26, 2008

A FAMILY is planning legal action against one of Sydney's best-known pubs after being served food that allegedly contained human excrement.

Stephen and Jessica Whyte and their three sons were served complimentary gelato dessert by Coogee Bay Hotel staff three weeks ago after complaining about food prices, facilities and staff attitude.

After eating the dessert Mrs Whyte became violently ill. A heated argument erupted with staff over the contents of the bowl. Distraught, the family took a sample of the gelato and had it tested at the National Measurement Institute. A report from the institute found: "The sample has an offensive odour and physical properties similar to human excreta."

Last week the Whytes spoke to Coogee Bay Hotel owner Christopher Cheung. "His view was that we were in this for money. He tried to buy us off with $5000 which, for me, was the final straw," Mr Whyte said.

"I said: 'I think you're missing the point here. My wife and children sat down in your pub and were served a bowl of free ice-cream containing faeces.'"

The Coogee Bay Hotel re-opened its doors over the October long weekend following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment of its beer garden, beach bar and brasserie, hoping to shake its boozy backpacker image.

Mrs Whyte said her "footy mad family" went to the pub on October 5 to watch the NRL grand final. They allege they complained three times to brasserie staff before the sound on the television screen was turned up. When the children wanted ice-cream, the family was told an adult serve cost $19. Mr Whyte vented his anger before leaving the pub in search of cheaper ice-cream.

"Later, this huge bowl of ice-cream arrived at our table as a 'sorry for all the hassle'," Mrs Whyte said. "There were four scoops including vanilla, chocolate and hazelnut. At the bottom, there appeared to be chocolate. Greedily, I went for it ahead of the kids. Thank heavens I did. The stench, the taste … I spat the food into a napkin and immediately I was sick.

"There was no doubting what it was. The whole family became hysterical. My poor son screamed at one of their staff: 'You made my mum eat poo."' The family complained to Waverley police.

In a letter to the family, hotel general manager Tony Williams said: "If the incident did happen, as claimed, then it may well have been an act of industrial sabotage - with the hotel as a victim alongside your family."

But yesterday Mr Williams said the case was now a legal issue that would be "vigorously defended".

"We are aware of the allegation and are treating it as extremely suspicious. Mr and Mrs Whyte have made a demand for up to $1 million from The Coogee Bay Hotel … We categorically stand behind the high quality of our food and the exemplary hygiene standards set in the new brassiere kitchen."

Mrs Whyte said: "This isn't about money. It's about making sure it never happens again."

I've heard of food being tinged with spit, ear wax, boogers, fingernails, dead skin and so on, but seriously?

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/hum ... 08023.html


So fellas, if you come to Sydney, don't go to the Coogee Bay hotel. It's prime territory in one of the nicer beaches, but I can tell you better places to booze up at.

That remind of a certain movie...