Renowned Noma chef resigns amid abuse allegations on opening day of LA pop-up

SILVER LAKE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Renowned Chef René Redzepi announced Wednesday that he is stepping away from Noma amid abuse allegations on the opening day of the Los Angeles pop-up.

The world-renowned chef of the upscale restaurant is facing a firestorm of allegations about how he treated his staff for more than two decades.

Chef Redzepi led Noma to the top ranking on the world's best restaurant list five times. Despite holding three Michelin stars, he eventually closed Noma in Denmark.

A dozen former workers and workers rights advocates protested outside his exclusive pop-up event in Silver Lake, detailing claims of employees being emotionally and physically abused.

"Workers being pushed beyond their limits, workers being punched and choked, workers being humiliated and dreams being broken," said former chef and Director of Fermentation at NOMA Jason Ignacio White.

One of the top restaurant's in the world opened a pop-up in Silver Lake, and it's making headlines not just for its food or steep price tag - but for abuse allegations against its chef.

Ignacio White worked with Redzepi for nearly five years at a Noma overseas.

He says more than 50 workers around the globe have come forward since the bombshell revelations were reported.

"I watched people stay in an abusive environment because they had no other choice. They needed the paycheck. They wanted the reference. They feared blacklisting and deportation," Ignacio White added.

Demonstrators protested the guests entering the ultra exclusive event where tickets cost $1,500 per person.

The controversy has led several corporate sponsors, like American Express, to pull out of tonight's dinner.

Workers demands include improved wages, zero tolerance for violence, reparations for workers and for Redzepi to step down.

"The staunch system that NOMA has used at the root of the ridiculous treatment of workers as expendable and abusable... as disposable... is a direct legacy of slavery. Whether they are a dishwasher or a chef, whether they are a waiter, a runner, or a busser... everyone who works deserves dignity," said Sara Jayaraman with One Fair Wage.

Statement from René Redzepi:

"The recent weeks have brought attention and important conversations about our restaurant, industry, and my past leadership.

I have worked to be a better leader andNomahas taken big steps to transform the culture over many years. I recognize these changes do not repair the past. An apology is not enough; I take responsibility for my own actions.

After more than two decades of building and leading this restaurant, I've decided to step away and allow our extraordinary leaders to now guide the restaurant into its next chapter. I have also resigned from the board of MAD, the nonprofit organization I founded in 2011."

Noma says they've improved workplace conditions, and the chef says he's sought therapy.

The restaurant is set to open in Silver Lake today through June 26.