Noma Drops American Express, Blackbird Sponsorship for LA Dinners
The recent pop-up dinner series in Los Angeles orchestrated by the famed Copenhagen restaurant Noma is facing significant sponsorship withdrawal. American Express and Blackbird, a hospitality start-up, have pulled their support due to allegations of past employee abuse against Noma’s chef, René Redzepi.
Noma’s Los Angeles Dinners
The exclusive pop-up dinners, priced at $1,500 per night, were set to run for 16 weeks starting Wednesday. Noma had quickly sold out all tickets, generating substantial interest.
Sponsorship Withdrawal
- American Express and Blackbird announced their decision on Monday.
- Both companies had acquired multiple blocks of tickets for their members, with Blackbird spending approximately $100,000.
- They plan to issue refunds and donate proceeds to organizations dedicated to restaurant worker protection.
Ben Leventhal, Blackbird’s founder, expressed concerns over Redzepi’s actions, calling them “unacceptable and abhorrent.” He emphasized that the restaurant industry cannot overlook such behaviors, especially in light of recent revelations.
A spokesperson for Resy American Express mentioned they would “reinvest the proceeds” to support local hospitality workers, underscoring their commitment to the restaurant community.
Noma’s Controversial History
Noma has long held a prestigious status, recognized as one of the world’s leading restaurants. It has earned three Michelin stars and topped the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list five times. However, Redzepi’s management style has drawn criticism for being abusive, as detailed in a recent New York Times report.
Between 2009 and 2017, 35 former employees reported instances of physical and psychological abuse, which encompassed threats of blacklisting and deportation. These allegations gained traction following social media disclosures by ex-employee Jason Ignacio White.
Upcoming Protests
In response to the recent allegations, One Fair Wage, a labor advocacy group, has organized a protest outside the pop-up venue in Silver Lake for Wednesday. The demonstration will highlight demands for reparations and improved workplace policies at Noma.
Financial Overview
- The series will host about 60 nights of dinners.
- Noma expects to generate around $4 million from ticket sales.
- Each night’s ticket sales total approximately $63,000.
Despite the sponsorship fallout, Noma has previously engaged in successful pop-up events across cities like Sydney, Kyoto, and Tulum, signaling their global appeal.
Noma is reportedly reassessing its business practices, having implemented formal human resources systems and management training in recent years.
The situation remains dynamic as the first dinner approaches, with many watching closely how the fallout will affect both Noma and the Los Angeles dining scene.
