Noma’s Redzepi resigns amid abuse allegations during LA pop-up

René Redzepi, the head chef and co-founder of Noma, announced he is stepping down from his role and resigning from the restaurant’s board amid allegations of physical abuse against staff. The move comes as Noma had been preparing a four-month Los Angeles residency, with protests in LA ahead of the pop-up’s launch.

He said he would step away to allow new leadership to guide the restaurant into its next chapter, acknowledging that while the restaurant has made changes over the years, past actions cannot be erased and that an apology alone is not enough. He took responsibility for his own actions and emphasized that the team will carry forward together into the LA residency.

Redzepi also stepped down from the board of MAD, the food-industry non-profit he founded in 2011, and posted a video apologizing to staff as he announced his departure. His resignation follows prior reports detailing a pattern of physical punishment and psychological abuse, and comes after major partners severed ties with Noma in the lead-up to the LA pop-up.

The Los Angeles residency has attracted attention for its price point, with dinners at times priced around $1,500, underscoring the high-stakes environment of the project. Despite Redzepi’s exit, Noma said the LA residency would continue to operate, and the team has signaled it will press ahead while navigating the leadership transition.

This development has intensified ongoing conversations about leadership culture and staff welfare in fine dining, highlighting the tension between elite gastronomy and workplace accountability. Industry observers will be watching closely how the LA venture evolves and what reforms, if any, follow from this upheaval.

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