Noma L.A. pop-up loses key financial sponsors a day before opening

"The move follows reports from former staff who recounted physical, verbal and psychological abuse primarily executed by the restaurant's co-founder and figurehead, celebrity chef René Redzepi. Representatives for American Express, Resy and Blackbird confirmed Tuesday that the companies are no longer sponsors of the event."

"On Saturday, the New York Times published an investigative report that detailed years of Redzepi's alleged abusive behavior from 2009 to 2017, gathered from interviews with 35 of the restaurant's former staff members. In recent weeks, former Noma fermentation-lab lead Jason Ignacio White has also posted accounts online of abuse sent by anonymous former staff, fueling social media anger at Redzepi and the elite restaurant."

"White and worker-rights nonprofit One Fair Wage are planning protests, beginning Wednesday at the Silver Lake site before Noma L.A.'s first dinner service. The advocacy group and White are calling for wage increases in the hospitality industry, as well as further accountability regarding the allegations against Redzepi."

Noma's 16-week Los Angeles pop-up dinner series faced significant setbacks as three major sponsors—American Express, Resy, and Blackbird—withdrew their support just before the Wednesday launch in Silver Lake. The withdrawal followed a New York Times investigative report detailing years of alleged physical, verbal, and psychological abuse by co-founder René Redzepi from 2009 to 2017, based on interviews with 35 former staff members. Former fermentation-lab lead Jason Ignacio White and worker-rights nonprofit One Fair Wage organized protests scheduled for opening night, demanding wage increases and accountability. Redzepi issued a public apology on Saturday, though it divided the local restaurant industry. Noma stated the pop-up would continue despite the sponsor withdrawals.

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