American Express and Blackbird have withdrawn from sponsoring Noma's Los Angeles pop-up dinners following reports that chef René Redzepi physically and psychologically abused employees. The $1,500-per-night dinner series, scheduled to begin Wednesday, had sold out its 16-week run before sponsors pulled out. Both companies announced they would refund customers and donate proceeds to organizations protecting restaurant workers.

Redzepi, whose Copenhagen restaurant has been ranked No. 1 five times on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list, issued an apology after The New York Times reported allegations from 35 former employees. They described him hitting, jabbing, and shoving workers between 2009 and 2017 for minor errors. Blackbird founder Ben Leventhal stated the company "cannot lean on time elapsed" when abuse allegations resurface.

Noma's Los Angeles pop-up was expected to generate approximately $4 million in revenue across 60 nights. The restaurant has staged similar events in Sydney, Kyoto, and Tulum. A labor group plans to protest Wednesday outside the Silver Lake venue, demanding reparations for workers. Noma representatives say the company has since adopted formal HR systems and improved work conditions.