His own words
20 Years. 56 Accounts. Zero Accountability. Exposing abuse at Noma by René Redzepi.
— René Redzepi, Lucky Peach, 2015I’ve been a bully for a large part of my career. I’ve yelled and pushed people.
That was his version. 56 former workers are telling the rest of the story.
18M
views
0
held accountable
Testimony
In their own words
I got punched in the face during service there.
Anonymous
They all know it's true. You can't deny it. I remember the first time I saw Rene punching a cook in the legs beneath the open pass during service.
Everyone told me to just look away. They had all seen it plenty of times before.
Anonymous
Everything I know is pretty "standard" Redzepi behaviour. Stabbing people with a BBQ fork since forever. Punching people.
He couldn't smack people around during service, so he was stabbing them under the table with a BBQ fork.
Anonymous
The stories are true. I saw it firsthand. When I was in Sydney, they did a pop-up.
Rene couldn't find his chef jacket — he shouted at his sous and started punching his sous chef in the ribs and stomach. It's fucking wild.
Sous Chef
The one remark that is burned into my head is the senior sous chef say to a young woman, 'if you don't work faster I'll grab you by your p***y and make you work faster.'
Still to this day I haven't heard something that vulgar and authentic at the same time.
Sous Chef
K. was my manager. Very early on, when we were all out having drinks, he invited me to follow him in the bathroom. While crushing a line of coke on a toilet seat, he asked me if I wanted to have a threesome with him and his wife.
I was still an intern. After I refused, he started treating me very badly. He barely said hello anymore.
Intern
I experienced verbal abuse from C., K., and A.. I raised it to HR. Nothing was done. Nothing.
If you cause a problem and complain, they will make sure that your name in the industry is on the blacklist and no one hires you.
People are crying and breaking down constantly. Even sexual abuse at the staff party. Nothing was done.
Intern
Every day when I came back I saw how people were miserable there — being screamed at, losing weight. Girls didn't have their period for months, so stressed and unhappy.
I had an opportunity to teach foraging to interns, and for some time it was an escape for them from that madhouse.
Intern
Every time Rene entered the kitchen someone yelled 'CHEFS COMING' so everybody had to sweep the floor and stay silent not to annoy him.
Then his right hand announced 'does anybody have a cigarette for Mr. Redzepi?'
Like some mafia boss.
Anonymous
Reporting to management, at Noma, is reporting to Rene Redzepi's mother-in-law. She's the 'intern therapist' — reports everything back to management and makes sure nothing ever gets out of hand.
This gives Rene total power and knowledge on what's really going on and what he should silence. Mind blowing.
Anonymous
I have tried writing this so many times. I have always chickened out. Today when I read you have PTSD, I knew I had to tell you. Me too.
Noma broke me in so many ways. From the bullying to Rene punching me in the ribs for lowering the volume in the prep kitchen.
I feel ashamed and most won't believe me. But thank you for sharing.
Intern
They made my life miserable, until my mental health was destroyed. I couldn't sleep no matter how tired I was. I fell into alcohol in a really bad way.
They made me feel like I was the worst piece of shit. I still have my passion for cooking, but it's not the same.
Something definitely died in that place.
Sous Chef
You’ve read 12 accounts. There are 44 more.
Read the full archiveFollow the Money
Redzepi called the fine dining model “broke” and “unsustainable.” The financial records tell a different story.
€3.6M
extracted in owner dividends while claiming the model was 'broke'
86M DKK
in shareholder equity — still 'unsustainable'
~$2M
from Amex/Resy to fund Noma LA. The show goes on.
~20 yrs
of unpaid internships before Noma finally began paying in 2023
While you’ve been reading these accounts, Noma has earned approximately:
$0.00
Source: Danish Central Business Register (CVR), Arwen Holding APS
The Cover-Up
It wasn’t just the abuse. It was the system built to ensure nobody could speak about it.
Internal Communication
“We are sure that many of you are aware about recent hostile activity from a social media account that has aggressively targeted our restaurants and our team. This is deeply unfortunate and we wanted to share a few updates with you. We are aware that some team members have been directly contacted, named, or targeted in connection with this account. We are very sorry that anyone on our team is experiencing this, and we recognize that this can feel unsettling. Please know that we are taking this situation seriously. We are actively working with external advisors to support those affected and to protect our workplace community.”Source: Leaked internal communication, Feb 2026
Damage Control
A current employee describes receiving the directive — and remembering the last time it happened.
“I have so many stories to share from my time there, it is crazy. Everyone just got an email warning people not to talk to you or "correct misinformation" — that we should refer to the PR manager if you contact us in any way. They are in damage control. I remember they did the same exact thing after announcing the closing of Noma while we were still carrying on being open, working double shifts and doing unpaid events on the weekend for American Express. "If any guests are confused about this obviously nonsensical situation, just refer them to J., our PR lady." No explanation for the staff, just PR damage control.”Source: Current employee testimony
The Blacklist Clause
From the unpaid intern contract — the threat that kept people silent for years.
“We accept people for a minimum of three months and, as previously stated, all stages must start on a Tuesday and end on a Saturday (although you may be asked to come on the Monday before your first day for a tour of the kitchen and formal introduction). Only extraordinary circumstances will warrant the early termination of a stage. Therefore, if you are worried that you will not be able to afford to stage very long, please ask for only the minimum length of stay here (three months). Ending your stage early without consent or simply not showing up may lead to your name being added to a list to be shared with others.”Source: Leaked intern contract
The Therapist Pipeline
The 'intern therapist' was Redzepi's mother-in-law. Every complaint went straight back to him.
“Reporting to management, at Noma, is reporting to Rene Redzepi's mother-in-law. She's the "intern therapist", reports everything back to management and makes sure nothing ever gets "out of hand" / basically that there are no liabilities. She's more-or-less a friendly face that you have to talk to for 20 minutes every month. This gives Rene total power and knowledge on what's really going on and what he should silence, or not. Mind blowing.”Source: Former employee testimony
His Own Words
He already told you himself.
“I've been a bully for a large part of my career. I've yelled and pushed people.”Source: Lucky Peach / MAD Feed, August 2015
The Record
None of this is new. Major publications have documented it for over a decade. Every time, the industry looked the other way.
Aug 2015
Redzepi publishes essay: "I've been a bully for a large part of my career. I've yelled and pushed people."
Lucky Peach / MAD FeedJan 2020
World's 50 Best interview: Redzepi on "ditching aggression" and how "the screaming stops."
World's 50 BestJun 2022
FT reports Noma relies on 30 unpaid interns alongside 34 paid chefs, working 70-hour weeks.
Financial TimesJan 2023
Half of Noma's 60 kitchen staff are unpaid interns. Former intern confirms decades of free labor.
ViceJan 2023
NYT breaks closure story. Former intern: interns were "forbidden to laugh." Redzepi: "It's unsustainable."
Fortune / Washington PostJan 2026
Noma LA announced: $1,500/head, funded by Amex/Resy "longstanding partnership."
Variety / ResyFeb 2026
@microbes_vibes begins sharing victim testimonies. 18M+ views and growing.
Cookist / The Grape ResetMar 7, 2026
NYT publishes "Punching, Slamming, Screaming." 35+ former employees interviewed; 30 say physical abuse was "routine" during 2009–2017.
New York TimesMar 8, 2026
Redzepi posts Instagram apology: "I can see enough of my past behavior reflected in them to understand that my actions were harmful."
NewsweekMar 10, 2026
American Express, Resy, Tock, Blackbird, and Cadillac all withdraw sponsorship from Noma LA pop-up.
Robb ReportMar 11, 2026
Noma LA opens at Paramour Estate despite mass sponsor withdrawal. Protest organized by Jason White and One Fair Wage outside.
CBS News Los AngelesBigger than Noma
“After I told my story, the flood gates opened. I received mountains of cases of abuse from all over the world — from restaurants all over Michelin Guide and World’s 50 Best. 99.9% of the abusers were men.”
The organizations still writing the checks
American Express / Resy
Paying ~$2M to bankroll Noma LA — a pop-up by a self-admitted bully
Still starring a restaurant whose founder admitted to years of abuse
World's 50 Best
Pay-to-play voting that shields abusers behind manufactured prestige
James Beard Foundation
Celebrating chefs with documented histories of violence and exploitation
Explore Tock
Profiting from every reservation at restaurants built on decades of exploitation
“Noma is not a restaurant, it’s a crime scene.”
What you can do right now
Take Action
These stories exist because people risked everything to tell them. Silence is what they’re counting on. Don’t give it to them.
Protest
Show Up March 11
March 11, 2026 · 11:00 AM PT
Paramour Estate, Silver Lake, Los Angeles
1923 Micheltorena St, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Opening night of Noma LA. Silent, visible presence. Signs provided or bring your own. Press conference TBA.
DM @microbes_vibes or email Teamsilence23@gmail.com
Legal
Legal Resources
Free, confidential legal consultations for restaurant workers. Covers unpaid wages, harassment, hostile work environment, discrimination, and abuse.
Hotline: (786) 233-9344
Email: info@onefairwage.org
Pressure
Demand Accountability
These organizations fund, platform, and legitimize abusive restaurants. They respond to public pressure. Make it public.
American Express / Resy
Paying ~$2M to bankroll Noma LA — a pop-up by a self-admitted bully
Jennifer Skyler (@jenskyler)Michelin Guide
Still starring a restaurant whose founder admitted to years of abuse
Gwendal Poullennec (@gwendalpoullennec)James Beard Foundation
Celebrating chefs with documented histories of violence and exploitation
Explore Tock
Profiting from every reservation at restaurants built on decades of exploitation
Press
Media & Press Inquiries
Journalists, researchers, and media — we want this story told. Reach out for statements, interviews, and documentation.
RSVP
Register for March 11
Your account matters
Share Your Story
If you witnessed or experienced abuse at Noma or any restaurant, you are not alone. Dozens have already spoken. Your account adds weight to theirs.