Noma chef resigns amid shocking allegations of physical abuse of staff | Restaurants
René Redzepi, head chef and co-founder of Noma, announced Wednesday that he is resigning following allegations that he physically abused staff at the internationally renowned Copenhagen restaurant.
Redzepi was facing protests in Los Angeles ahead of a four-month pop-up that launched this week. His resignation comes next New York Times Shocking allegations of physical and psychological abuse were detailed, including allegations that he “punched staff in the face, poked them with kitchen utensils and slammed them against walls”.
“I decided to step away and let our extraordinary leaders guide the restaurant to the next step,” he wrote in an Instagram story.
Redzepi noted that recent weeks had “put a spotlight and brought important conversations about our restaurant, our industry, and my past leadership,” writing: “I have worked to become a better leader, and Noma has made great strides to transform the culture over many years. I recognize that these changes do not repair the past. An apology is not enough; I take responsibility for my own actions.”
The chef said Noma’s team “will be moving forward together to our residence in Los Angeles, and this will be a powerful moment for them to show what they’ve been working on.”
Redzepi said that he also resigned from the board of directors of Mad, a non-profit food industry organization he founded in 2011. video He apologized to the staff and announced his departure.
Its announcement follows American Express and Blackbird, a hospitality company. Cut ties with Noma On the way to an LA pop-up.
The New York Times report on his abuse was based on interviews with 35 former employees and described a “pattern of physical punishment” and “lasting trauma resulting from layers of psychological abuse, including intimidation, body shaming and public ridicule.” The report said the chief threatened to blacklist employees from the industry, deport their families and fire family members from their jobs at other businesses.
Noma’s Los Angeles residence charges $1,500 per ticket, but sells out in three minutes. Eating reported.
Noma has repeatedly ranked #1 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
