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Chef Noma Accused of Decade of Abuse
8 Mar
Summary
- René Redzepi allegedly abused 30+ staff from 2009-2017.
- Allegations include physical assault and public shaming.
- Noma's LA pop-up faces backlash and protest calls.
René Redzepi, the internationally renowned founder of Denmark's Noma, is facing serious allegations of abuse spanning over a decade. Between 2009 and 2017, at least 30 former employees claim Redzepi subjected them to bullying and physical violence. These accounts, detailed in a recent report, include incidents where staff were allegedly punched, cussed at, and publicly shamed in front of colleagues.
These revelations have surfaced as Noma, a restaurant previously ranked first five times on the World's 50 Best Restaurants List, is set to launch an exclusive pop-up in Los Angeles. The event, with tickets priced at $1,500 per meal, has drawn significant backlash. Former employees are urging public protest against the residency, highlighting a culture of alleged intimidation and unpaid labor.
In response to the resurfaced claims, Redzepi issued an apology, stating that while he doesn't recognize all details, his past behavior was indeed harmful. He mentioned undergoing therapy and reflection to manage anger. Noma stated it takes the allegations seriously and is conducting an internal audit, asserting that the current workplace differs from the past.
