Noma to reopen in Copenhagen with René Redzepi as creative director

Noma will reopen as a permanent restaurant in Copenhagen on 5 August, with René Redzepi taking on the role of creative director, reports Børsen.

Redzepi stepped down as head chef in March following a New York Times report in which 35 former employees described a workplace culture marked by violence between 2009 and 2017. Around 30 claimed it was routine to be hit by Redzepi and other managers.

In an interview with Berlingske, Redzepi said he did not recognise the most severe allegations. “I know I’ve been an idiot, pushed people around, shouted and screamed, but I haven’t done the extreme things described,” he said. He added that he had contacted former staff to verify the claims but did not recall the incidents as described.

Peter Kreiner, the former CEO, has also stepped down. Pablo Soto and Mette Søberg will take over as head chefs, while Annika de Las Herras becomes CEO. Redzepi retains majority ownership and will define the creative vision but will not oversee daily operations, she told Børsen.