Noma head chef resigns from restaurant amid abuse allegations

Noma head chef resigns from restaurant amid abuse allegations 3 hours agoNardine SaadLos AngelesGetty ImagesThe head chef of Noma, one of the highest-rated restaurants in the world, has resigned amid allegations of abuse. René Redzepi announced his exit on social media, saying: "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."Former employees had accused the chef of creating a toxic work environment, including verbal and physical abuse, according to media reports.The fine-dining establishment, which is based in Denmark, has been preparing for a Los Angeles residency, but corporate sponsors pulled out after the abuse claims and protests outside his pop-up location.In a statement posted on Instagram, Redzepi said: "An apology is not enough; I take responsibility for my own actions. "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," he added. "We've been open for 23 years, and I'm incredibly proud of our people, our creativity, and the direction Noma is heading."He said the team would continue their work at the Los Angeles location without him.Redzepi also resigned from the board of MAD, a non-profit organisation that he founded in 2011, which states on its website that it focuses on helping those who are new to the restaurant industry.A recent report in the New York Times said dozens of former employees had accused the chef of creating an abusive culture in the kitchen and a toxic work environment, which included verbal threats and physical mistreatment at the eatery he founded in 2003."To be honest with you, I think the repercussions of staying silent are worse than me speaking up and standing with my peers against violence," said Jason Ignacio White, former Noma employee.White said he witnessed widespread abuse during the years he worked for the celebrity chef.Days later Redzepi responded to the allegations on social media, saying: "To those who have suffered under my leadership, my bad judgement, or my anger I am deeply sorry and I have worked to change."He said he had "shouted and pushed people, acting in ways that are unacceptable" and shared that he had gone to therapy and found better ways to manage his anger.But protests took place outside the Noma pop-up location in the neighbourhood of Silver Lake, with some wage-rights groups calling for Redzepi's resignation."Who wants to eat in an environment of abuse," Saru Jayaraman, a member of One Fair Wage, told the BBC's US media partner CBS News. "Who wants to eat food that comes from the tears and sweat of people who are suffering?"Several corporate sponsors, including American Express, withdrew from the 16-week dinner series.Reservations for the pop-up in Los Angeles cost $1,500 (£1,120) per person and sold out in just minutes.