Blackouts’ Danger to Restaurant Diners

In “Blackouts and Businesses: Dying for an Exemption?” [June 14], my restaurant was audaciously portrayed. Reporter Joseph Menn called me the day before the release of the article requesting an interview. I inquired about the type of article he was going to write since I in no way wanted my restaurant to be portrayed in a negative light.

Since he could not give me a definitive answer, I spoke to him off the record regarding the strict Health Department laws regarding maintenance of proper refrigeration temperatures and possible contamination that can take place if temperatures are interrupted. I declined to be interviewed.

I was shocked to read the following: “Never mind getting stuck in an elevator. Next time there’s a power outage, pray you’re not at La Scala. The upscale Beverly Hills eatery says that 26 to 100 of its patrons are likely to die, ‘depending upon how many guests are in the restaurant during a blackout, and how many guests are subjected to contaminated food.’ ”

This statement is grossly misleading and provokes hysteria. La Scala sounds like the greedy few trying to beat the system, instead of a restaurant dedicated to the safety of its guests.

Mr. Menn, in an attempt to demean applicants’ reasons for filing for exemptions, writes, “Food poisoning is the just the beginning.” He adds that “. . . some companies are letting their imaginations flourish.” I resent the implication being made by a person who knows nothing about the restaurant business and the laws that govern us.

The problem with being subjected to a rolling blackout is the possibility that a blackout could occur without our knowledge. It is altogether a possibility that food could slip into the danger zone.

He also seemed to fail to mention that the form that applicants had to fill out for exemption was a multiple-choice type form. I am sure that you can understand the limits of explanation on such a form.

The Health Department has created these outlines and rules for public safety. This being the case, why would I ever feel that we should not be exempt from a rolling blackout if the result could in any way possible cause harm to someone? How am I expected to turn my back on the very rules that I am told that I must follow?

Wendy Ham

Vice president

La Scala Restaurants

Brentwood