According to The New York Times, the Noma restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark, which has been voted the best restaurant in the world more than once, will cease to receive visitors in 2024.
The restaurant’s chef, Rene Redzepi, explained that the decision was made due to the regular overtime of employees and poor working conditions. After closing, the restaurant will be converted into a food laboratory.
The original dishes repeatedly awarded high awards, are too complex and expensive to produce. The business does not pay off even though for less than $ 500 per person in Noma, it is not possible to dine. Local specialties include, for example, baked reindeer hearts on a cushion of fresh pine and saffron ice cream in a beeswax bowl.
The production of such culinary masterpieces costs enormous efforts and the work of many dozens of people.
The owners point out that many high-end restaurants face similar challenges and may need to rethink their business model and even “rethink completely” the restaurant industry.
Noma opened in Copenhagen in 2003 and specialized in Scandinavian cuisine. The restaurant became the best in the world in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2021. He also has three Michelin stars.