René Redzepi steps away from Noma (more or less)

[y_p_w]

Apparently due to allegations of serious abuse in his businesses. Like allegations of punishing employees making mistakes by pushing them into walls or stabbing them with forks. He claims that he’s gone through therapy to try to overcome his issues. He’s no longer participating in his L.A. area popup.

https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2026-03-11/rene-redzepi-stepping-away-noma-abuse-allegations​

https://www.foodandwine.com/rene-redzepi-leaves-noma-11923307​

The decision comes days after the New York Times published an explosive report detailing years of workplace abuse that the chef allegedly oversaw and engaged in at his restaurant. Reporter Julia Moskin interviewed 35 former Noma employees who detailed instances of Redzepi engaging in acts of verbal and physical abuse, including organizing public shamings, as well as screaming at and punching employees over a period of years at the restaurant.​

I’ve certainly heard of yelling and screaming in restaurants, as well as throwing things. But outright felony assault is another matter. I’ve heard there are some in fine dining trying to end that sort of thing, including Eric Ripert of Le Bernadin.

 

[97prizm]

It's a bummer when it comes out. I was bummed when I heard Mario Batali, and Chef John Besh were involved with serious unacceptable behavior for years in their restaurants.

 

[Boomer]

Its only a meal, for heavens sake. It is not the creation of a scientific breakthrough or an engineering marvel that people will discuss or use hundreds of years from now People need to put things in perspective. Do a great job and have FUN doing it.

 

[billt460]

People behave this way because, 1.) They know they can get away with it. And 2.) Most people fear the power these guys have over them. If someone would have washed this guys face with a hot skillet, and made his teeth an appetizer for him, it would have stopped it all cold.

What's with these "chef's" who run around thinking they're some type of self created God, that can abuse people at will? There are many of them. Too many. Another raving, screaming lunatic is this idiot Jon Taffer from, "Bar Rescue".

This guy is one of the most arrogant individuals on television. Yeah, I get the fact it all makes for good TV...... Once, or maybe twice. But every show it's the same nonsense. If you want to see fighting watch MMA. Not some overrated cooking show, with some arrogant, agitated "chef" picking on scared, weak people who are trying to learn a trade.

 

[Boomer]

It always interests me how the "creative" personality outside of engineering and science don't seem to be able to enjoy life without a constant stream of awards in their profession. Look at all of the awards for film, TV, Broadway, singing.... And they are televised! Chefs have Michelin stars, awards and TV shows. Interestingly to me as a scientist is that for the most part scientists and engineers labor in obscurity, their reputations known only in their own circles. While there are Nobel prizes and some smaller awards, most of us develop useful items, publish our work, receive patents for the companies or universities for which we work and go on with life. There no annual TV awards shows, huge newspaper coverages of our personal lives, etc. I dare say that almost nobody in the general population can name the scientists that developed the cancer drug that is keeping someone in their family alive or the name of the engineer that put up a bridge or an architect that designed an enormous building. I find it extremely hard. if not impossible. to equate a plate of food with these achievements but perhaps that is just me.

 

[Kira]

Don't forget awards in the world of graphic arts and authorship.
Awards and these TV shows are for publicity. Never forget that.
The medals they give each other are "cheapened coins".

The award I covet is a pink Cadillac from Mary Kay.