Noma’s René Redzepi Steps Down After Abuse Allegations Disrupt Los Angeles Residency

Overview

• Redzepi issued a public apology on Instagram, accepted responsibility for past behavior, and said he is stepping away from leading Noma while resigning from the MAD board.
• The New York Times reported accounts from roughly 35 former employees describing incidents from 2009–2017 that included physical aggression, public humiliation, and 12–16 hour workdays, with many foreign interns receiving little or no pay.
• American Express and hospitality startup Blackbird pulled support for Noma’s sold‑out Los Angeles pop‑up, pledged refunds, and said proceeds would be redirected to worker‑support groups.
• Protesters gathered outside the pop‑up site in Los Angeles as the restaurant’s current leadership said the residency would proceed without Redzepi.
• Former fermentation lab head Jason Ignacio White publicly characterized Noma’s kitchen as a culture of fear, abuse, and exploitation, intensifying scrutiny of labor practices in high‑end restaurants.