Additional Coverage:
- Famed chef René Redzepi steps down from Noma after abuse allegations: What he told staff (abcnews.com)
Noma Founder René Redzepi Steps Down Amid Abuse Allegations
Copenhagen, Denmark – Renowned chef René Redzepi, the visionary behind Copenhagen’s world-famous restaurant Noma, announced his departure this week, following a scathing report from The New York Times detailing allegations of abusive working conditions from numerous former employees.
Redzepi, who has been under intense scrutiny since the Times report broke last Saturday, just days before his highly anticipated Los Angeles pop-up, shared his decision in a video posted to Noma’s and his personal Instagram accounts on Wednesday. “After more than two decades of building and leading this restaurant, I’ve decided to step away and allow our extraordinary leaders to now guide the restaurant into its next chapter,” he stated.
The New York Times investigation included accounts from over 35 former employees, who described a pattern of physical and psychological abuse between 2009 and 2017. Redzepi acknowledged the recent spotlight on his leadership and the industry, writing, “The recent weeks have brought attention and important conversations about our restaurant, industry, and my past leadership…
I recognize these changes do not repair the past. An apology is not enough; I take responsibility for my own actions.”
In addition to stepping away from Noma, Redzepi has also resigned from the board of MAD, the Copenhagen-based nonprofit he founded in 2011, which aims to educate and inspire change within the food industry.
Redzepi, who co-founded Noma with Claus Meyer in 2003, has garnered immense acclaim throughout his career, including five top spots on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and three Michelin stars.
The chef was scheduled to host a 16-week Southern California residency in Silver Lake, beginning Wednesday. However, in the wake of the Times report, both American Express and Blackbird, the event’s major corporate sponsors, have withdrawn their support.
In the Wednesday video, Redzepi addressed the pop-up staff, explaining his decision to step away from the project “in order to make sure you guys are feeling 100% safe.” He added, “We will get through this, but because it’s so much focused on me, I have to remove myself.”
Protests by former Noma chefs and employees took place at the Silver Lake location this week, criticizing the opening of the exclusive dining series, which charges $1,500 per person. Jason Ignacio White, a former Noma director of fermentation, spoke at the protest, alleging he “watched people stay in an abusive environment because they had no other choice.” White, who worked with Redzepi for nearly five years, also operates an Instagram account and website, “Noma Abuse,” which purports to share anonymous accounts of abuse and offers a platform for submissions.
In a statement to The New York Times last week, Redzepi said, “Although I don’t recognize all details in these stories, I can see enough of my past behavior reflected in them to understand that my actions were harmful to people who worked with me. To those who have suffered under my leadership, my bad judgment, or my anger, I am deeply sorry and I have worked to change.”
This is not the first time Redzepi’s conduct has drawn scrutiny. In 2008, he was featured in the documentary “Noma at Boiling Point,” which depicted him screaming at cooks – an incident referenced in the Times report. He has publicly apologized for his past behavior on several occasions, including a 2015 essay for MAD where he described himself as a “beast” who bullied subordinates.
In the recent video, Redzepi addressed the online backlash, stating that his kitchen “has not been like this for a long time, I know that’s not who we are.” He expressed his motivation to “explain to the world and tell the world that there are many sides to this, that it’s not one side,” as he plans the “next phase.”
“You’ll see me around, but not in the way you’ve seen me around in the past 23 years. You guys are running the show now,” Redzepi concluded.
ABC News has sought comment from Redzepi and Noma regarding these developments.