Wolfgang Puck Catering recently found itself in a most unappetizing position. Soon after catering several lavish events this month in Los Angeles, including the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue party and the Academy Awards Governors Ball, the company discovered that one of their prep cooks had been diagnosed with Hepatitis A.

According to a statement made by Carl Schuster, president of Wolfgang Puck Catering, “the individual was placed on medical leave and we immediately worked to take every precaution to further safeguard our patrons and employees.” One of those precautions involved notifying the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of public health and county health officer, was quoted in Special Events Magazine online as stating that, “the company has been exemplary in their response to this situation.” Although the Governors Ball was not affected, patrons of four other events between Feb. 14 and Feb. 20 were notified and urged to receive immune globulin shots to prevent infection.

Any company facing a public health crisis ought to take note of the rapid and thorough response that WPC Communications implemented in the wake of an embarrassing and potentially dangerous situation.