A Japanese teppanyaki restaurant where a four-year-old girl suffered burns to her face says it deeply regrets the incident.
The chain that manages Wharf Teppanyaki in inner Sydney, Kobe Jones, said the incident is also the first time a person has been injured while dining at its restaurants.
The young girl was dining at the restaurant with her family on Sunday evening when it's believed she was burnt by an open flame.
She remains in a stable condition at Westmead Children's Hospital.
Teppanyaki restaurants feature chefs who prepare and cook meals on an open hotplate in front of guests.
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The restaurant said it had been in regular contact with the injured girl's family, and they were advised her condition had improved "markedly".
Staff at the restaurant were also receiving support, including an offer of counselling, general manager of Kobe Jones, Trent Schmidt said.
"It is not yet clear how the event occurred during the course of a normal dinner service," Mr Schmidt said.
He said the restaurant would work with SafeWork NSW in its investigation into the incident.
"Our thoughts are with the young girl, her family, and our King Street Wharf staff," Mr Schmidt said.
