World-famous Noma chef, about to start $1,500-a-plate residency in LA, faces past allegations again

Days before world-renowned restaurant Noma is to begin its 16-week residency in Los Angeles, past allegations of workplace abuse have resurfaced against its star chef, René Redzepi.

An investigation published on Saturday by the New York Times detailed accounts of physical and emotional abuse alleged by former employees between 2009 and 2017.

Noma, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, topped critics' lists of best restaurants in the world multiple times before closing its doors as a regular restaurant in late 2024. By then, Redzepi had faced backlash over his leadership style in the kitchen and longtime use of unpaid interns.

Noma and Redzepi respond

After the New York Times story came out Saturday, Redzepi took to social media later in the morning to post this response:

"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," he said in the post. "To those who have suffered under my leadership, my bad judgment, or my anger, I am deeply sorry and I have worked to change."

A spokesperson for Noma provided LAist with this statement, which reads in part:

“These claims do not reflect the workplace Noma is today. Although the stories appear to date back many years, we take them seriously and are looking into them carefully. Since that time, we have improved the process to address concerns. We are continuing to do so with an independent audit that ensures we keep our standards high and our workplace safe.”

Protest planned in L.A.

Jason Ignacio White, a former Noma employee who has been posting allegations of abuse on social media ahead of the L.A. pop-up, is planning a worker protest on Wednesday in front of the Silver Lake space where Noma will start its 16-week run.

The pop-up is charging $1,500 a seat. According to Redzepi, it sold out in 60 seconds.