Noma's Head Chef Resigns Amid Abuse Allegations as Protesters Gather at L.A. Pop-Up

Resignation follows reports of violent and abusive behavior by chef René Redzepi towards former employees.

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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The opening day of Noma's 16-week pop-up experience in Los Angeles was marked by a protest led by former employees who claim they were subjected to abuse and mistreatment while working for the acclaimed restaurant's founding chef René Redzepi. Hours later, Redzepi announced his resignation from the head chef position, acknowledging his past behavior was 'harmful to people' who worked with him.

Why it matters

Noma is one of the world's most renowned restaurants, but the allegations of abuse and mistreatment by its founder raise concerns about the restaurant industry's culture and the treatment of workers, even at the highest levels of culinary excellence.

The details

Former Noma employees, including Jason Ignacio White, the former director of fermentation, say countless workers experienced 'true harm' from Redzepi, including being 'punched and choked' and 'humiliated'. White brought a demand letter to the protest, calling for a settlement and management changes at Noma. Redzepi had previously apologized on Instagram, saying he doesn't recognize all the details but acknowledged his past actions were harmful.

  • Noma's 16-week pop-up experience in Los Angeles opened on Wednesday, March 12, 2026.
  • Redzepi announced his resignation as head chef on the same day as the opening protest.

The players

René Redzepi

The founding chef of the acclaimed Copenhagen restaurant Noma, who has resigned from his position following allegations of abuse and mistreatment towards former employees.

Jason Ignacio White

The former director of fermentation at Noma, who led the protest outside the restaurant's L.A. pop-up and brought a demand letter calling for a settlement and management changes.

Noma

An acclaimed restaurant founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, that is known for its extravagant $1,500-per-person price tag and has been selected as the top restaurant on the list of World's 50 Best Restaurants.

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What they’re saying

“Beneath the glamour and stars, workers being pushed beyond their limits, workers being punched and choked, workers being humiliated and dreams being broken.”

— Jason Ignacio White, Former Director of Fermentation, Noma

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

— René Redzepi (Instagram)

What’s next

White said that if Noma does not reach an agreement with former employees by Thursday, he and his colleagues will elevate the matter legally.

The takeaway

The allegations against Noma's founder highlight the need for greater accountability and reform in the restaurant industry, where abusive behavior towards workers has often been tolerated or overlooked in pursuit of culinary excellence.