Davenport Iowa – wqad.com – by Chris Minor - A Davenport restaurant was ticketed today by the health department after its head chef was caught on tape kissing and licking live toads in the kitchen Sunday. The Scott County Health Department reviewed the video Wednesday and called in the chef and owner of Osaka in Davenport to issue a 335-dollar ticket.
''There were several violations committed during the video'', said food inspector Lindsay Gorishek. ''Toads carry several diseases and they also had them in their mouth and then back in their hands on the prep table''. Christopher Turla, who goes by the name TaiMaiShu (Tie My Shoe) at the popular Japanese restaurant, is seen on the tape inside the restaurant during business hours with two small toads on the prep table where vegetables are cut.

As customers linger in the dining room, he picks up the toads, then kisses them a few times, repeatedly licks them, then stuffs them both in his mouth, and puts both of his hands back on the table.
''It was a joke, it was like a dare to myself, if I can lick a frog or kiss a frog'', Turla said after getting the citation from the health department. His brother videotaped the kitchen antics and then they were posted on YouTube. He said he was done cooking for the night, and was just waiting for the rest of the customers to leave.

Restaurant owner Yidi When says he'll pay the fine, and says Turla is just a funny guy who needs some more training about restaurant sanitation. ''I got a ticket, I'll pay for it, it's his fault and my fault too. He's not supposed to bring frogs in the restaurant.'' In June the health department cited Osaka for 14 non-toad violations, five deemed critical. Gorishek says it may have been meant as a joke, but in a restaurant, it's not funny. ''We expect people to know the regulations and to abide by them, so it was disappointing''.

Link to Story: http://www.wqad.com/news/wqad-osaka-restuarant-you-tube-toad-licker081110,0,455538.story