Chef Rene Redzepi leaves Noma restaurant amid allegations of past abuse

The move came after recent reports about his abuse of employees at Noma. Read more at straitstimes.com.

NEW YORK - Chef Rene Redzepi resigned on March 11 from Noma, the restaurant he co-founded in 2003 and led to international acclaim.

The move came after recent reports in The New York Times and on social media about his abuse of employees at Noma in the 2000s and 2010s. The allegations overshadowed the debut of Noma’s 16-week pop-up in Los Angeles, where protesters gathered on March 11, waving signs and chanting.

In a statement on Instagram, he wrote: “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.

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

Mr Redzepi also posted a tearful video of himself apologising to his staff.