Star chef steps down from Noma after abuse allegations

Danish chef Rene Redzepi, whose Michelin-starred restaurant Noma made him a culinary celebrity, is stepping away from day-to-day operations at the Copenhagen foodie favorite after admitting to mistreating staff in the past.

The New York Times reported on March 7 that dozens of former employees said Redzepi inflicted physical and psychological harm and detailed incidents that occurred between 2009 and 2017.

Similar stories have been floating around the internet for years.

In a social media post on Thursday, Redzepi said he was taking responsibility for his “past leadership” by stepping back.

“After more than two decades of building and managing this restaurant, I have decided to step away and allow our extraordinary leaders to guide the restaurant to its next phase,” he said.

Noma confirmed in a statement that Redzepi “will withdraw from day-to-day operations effective immediately.”

Following the New York Times article, Redzepi had previously acknowledged the impact of his past actions on staff.

“While I don’t know all the details in these stories, I can see enough of my past behavior reflected in me to understand that my actions were harmful to the people who worked with me,” he said.

It was unclear whether Redzepi’s decision would affect his co-ownership of Noma, and the restaurant did not provide further comment.

Inspired by Redzepi’s avant-garde approach to Scandinavian cuisine, Noma has repeatedly ranked high in the world’s best restaurants and has been awarded three prestigious Michelin stars, selling out with pop-up appearances from Tokyo to Los Angeles.

Redzepi co-founded Noma in 2003, when he was in his mid-20s.

Now 48, he said in Thursday’s post that he is working to become a better leader and has “taken big steps” to transform Noma’s culture.

“I am aware that these changes do not repair the past,” he wrote in a letter on Thursday, adding that he also resigned from the board of directors of a non-profit education organization he founded in 2011.

The restaurant said in a statement that it has implemented changes in recent years, including a fully paid internship program, improved hours and expanded benefits.

Addressing employees on Noma’s Instagram account, he said, “You will see me around. But not in the way you have seen me around for the last 23 years.”

“You’re running the show right now.”

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