(Bloomberg) — René Redzepi, co-founder and longtime chef at Noma, a three-Michelin-star restaurant in Copenhagen, said he will step down following allegations of abusive behavior against former employees.
Redzepi announced his decision in an Instagram story Wednesday night, writing that after more than two decades of building and leading the renowned restaurant, he will “take responsibility” for his actions and let “our extraordinary leaders now guide the restaurant into its next chapter.” He also said he will step down from the board of MAD, the gastronomy nonprofit he founded in 2011.
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“I have worked to be a better leader and Noma has made great strides in transforming the culture over many years. I recognize that these changes do not repair the past. An apology is not enough,” he said in the Instagram post. “To those who have suffered under my leadership, my poor judgment or my anger, I am deeply sorry.”
The decision comes after the They described episodes, between 2009 and 2017, in which they said Redzepi and other senior chefs hit them with kitchen utensils, punched them in the face and stomach or pushed them against walls.
In the Instagram post, Redzepi acknowledged what he described as his “unacceptable” behavior in the kitchen environment, saying he had difficulty dealing with pressure and, at times, reacted to small mistakes with anger and physical aggression, something he now deeply regrets. He said he spent the last decade in therapy to better understand and control his temper and stepped away from day-to-day service leadership.
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The accusations came to light as Noma prepared to launch a pop-up in Los Angeles that would offer $1,500-per-person tasting menus from March 11 to June 26. Following the New York Times report, several sponsors — including American Express Co. and Danish ingredient maker Novonesis A/S — withdrew their support, and about a dozen protesters gathered outside the venue with signs that read “No Michelin Stars for Violence” and “You Bought a Ticket to a Crime Scene.”
Founded in 2003 by Redzepi and renowned Danish chef Claus Meyer, Noma has been voted the world’s best restaurant five times and has helped cement Copenhagen’s status as a global gastronomic capital with its experimental approach to Nordic cuisine. The restaurant closed indefinitely in 2025, with Redzepi shifting focus to Noma Projects and a series of international pop-ups.
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