Noma L.A. Pop-up’s Key Financial Sponsors Withdraw Pre-Opening Day
Noma’s upcoming pop-up restaurant in Los Angeles faces significant challenges as major financial sponsors withdraw their support. The pop-up, set to take place in Silver Lake, was slated to begin a 16-week dinner series. The decision by these sponsors follows serious allegations of abusive behavior against the restaurant’s co-founder, René Redzepi.
Withdrawal of Key Sponsors
On Tuesday, representatives from American Express, Resy, and Blackbird confirmed they would no longer be associated with the Noma L.A. event. This development came shortly after reports surfaced concerning abusive conduct by Redzepi, which dates back to 2009-2017 and includes testimonies from 35 former staff members.
- American Express
- Resy
- Blackbird
Blackbird, a new loyalty-point dining platform, had planned to host special nights for industry professionals. However, they canceled their reservations, citing the unacceptable nature of Redzepi’s past conduct. Blackbird’s CEO, Ben Leventhal, remarked in a statement regarding the prioritization of the Los Angeles restaurant community.
Continuing the Pop-Up Series
Despite the sponsors’ withdrawal, Noma’s team indicated that the pop-up series would proceed as planned. They removed mentions of American Express from their website, though they did not provide further comments at this time.
Support for Abused Workers
The situation has prompted action from former employees and advocacy groups. Jason Ignacio White, the former lead of Noma’s fermentation lab, has shared accounts of abuse online, leading to heightened anger on social media. He, alongside the nonprofit organization One Fair Wage, plans to protest outside the Silver Lake site concurrently with the first dinner service.
- Focus of protests: Wage increases in hospitality
- Calls for accountability regarding Redzepi’s actions
Additionally, American Express and Resy had previously organized several exclusive dining evenings, three of which were sold out. They are now offering refunds to affected guests.
Upcoming Protests and Community Impact
The planned protests aim to advocate for better wage standards for hospitality workers while drawing attention to the ongoing allegations against Redzepi. Many community members and organizations are concerned about the implications of this controversy on the local restaurant scene.
As of now, Cadillac remains listed as the official vehicle sponsor for the residency, but further details on their involvement have yet to be clarified.
The future of the Noma L.A. pop-up is uncertain as public sentiment continues to evolve, and community responses unfold.
