René Redzepi steps away from Noma following abuse allegations

René Redzepi has announced he will step away from Noma after more than two decades leading the influential Copenhagen restaurant.

The chef shared the news in a public statement, saying the decision followed recent scrutiny surrounding allegations about his past leadership in the kitchen.

The development comes just days after an explosive report by The New York Times, where former members of staff alleged incidents of abusive behaviour during Noma’s earlier years, prompting renewed discussion about kitchen culture across the hospitality industry.

René Redzepi: “I take responsibility for my own actions”

In a statement shared publicly, René acknowledged the impact of the recent conversations and said he believed it was time for the restaurant to move forward under new leadership.

He said: “The recent weeks have brought attention and important conversations about our restaurant, industry, and my past leadership.

“I have worked to be a better leader and Noma has taken big steps to transform the culture over many years. I recognise these changes do not repair the past. An apology is not enough; I take responsibility for my own actions.”

René confirmed he will step away from day-to-day leadership of the restaurant and has also resigned from the board of non-profit organisation MAD.

“After more than two decades of building and leading this restaurant, I’ve decided to step away and allow our extraordinary leaders to now guide the restaurant into its next chapter,” he said.

“I have also resigned from the board of MAD, the non-profit organisation I founded in 2011.”

Future of Noma

René emphasised that the decision does not signal an end for the restaurant itself, describing the current team as the strongest it has ever been.

“For anyone wondering what this means for the restaurant, let me say it clearly: the Noma team today is the strongest and most inspiring it has ever been.

“We’ve been open for 23 years, and I’m incredibly proud of our people, our creativity, and the direction Noma is heading.”

He also confirmed that the team will continue preparations for the restaurant’s upcoming residency in Los Angeles.

“This team will carry forward together into our LA residency, which will be a powerful moment for them to show what they’ve been working toward and to welcome guests to something truly special,” he said.

Noma has previously held international pop-ups in cities including Tokyo, Sydney and Tulum, with the temporary residencies forming a major part of the restaurant’s global profile.

Sponsors withdraw from LA residency

The announcement comes amid mounting pressure around the upcoming Los Angeles residency.

According to reports, several sponsors connected to the project have recently withdrawn their support following the allegations about René’s past behaviour.

The development has added further uncertainty around the high-profile pop-up, which had been expected to draw international attention.

Despite the controversy, René said the restaurant’s long-term vision remains unchanged.

“Noma’s mission for the future is to keep exploring ideas, discovering new flavours, and imagining what food can become decades from now,” he said.

“Noma has always been bigger than any one person. And this next step honours that belief.”

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Rene Redzepi (@reneredzepinoma)

Emotional address to team

René broke the news of his resignation to his team earlier this week, in an emotional address which has now been shared on social media.

In it, he said: “I’m sorry everyone is in this situation, I really, really am. I don’t think this represents our team. I am so proud of where we are as an organisation.

“We’re in the belly of the beast here.

“In order to make sure that you guys are 100% feeling safe, I am going to step away. The running of this restaurant for now will sit on you guys.

“I am not running away from any responsibility on how I have been. I know how I have been. Many of you have been here long enough to have experienced how we’ve gone through this change.

“We win guests over one by one. Long-term, that will do it. We will get through this. But because it is so much focused on me, I have to remove myself.

“I believe this is the restaurant of the decade. I can feel it in the energy.

“It is not just work for me. Many of you are my family, it becomes more than colleagues.

“My commitment is the same as always, in the sense that I want to work to be an extraordinary organisation, where food is at the forefront and we are part of a change. My commitment to you is to create the best organisation in the restaurant industry that’s ever been seen.

“It is very hard to enact real change. You can break things in minutes and to build it up again can take forever.

“Please fight, be in this and find strength in each other as a team. Know that I am doing this to protect everyone here.

“When I see what is going on online, it has not been like this for a long time. I know this is not who we are. That’s why it gives me so much motivation. That is something we need to explain to the world and tell the world that there are many sides to this, it is not one-sided.

“So you’ll see me around, but not in the way you’ve seen me around for the past 23 years. You guys are running the show now. This is your restaurant now.

“For me, I’m going into planning the next phase.”