Joe McNamee: Bullying was embedded in the DNA of London kitchens — here's my experience

The only lesson those English chefs absorbed was Bullying 101.

René Redzepi pictured giving a foraging workshop at the Kerrygold Ballymaloe Literary Festival of Food & Wine 2014. Picture Clare keogh

I suspect it was the extraordinary prices for Noma’s LA pop-up that have drawn back into the spotlight the long-running saga of a bullying culture at the once world-renowned, now permanently closed Copenhagen restaurant. Running from March until June, with seats at $1,500 (€1,299) a head, it equates to $63,000 (€55,560) per night, totalling over $4m (€3.5m).

Overwhelming outrage at the perceived obscenity of wealthy excess became worldwide news; local LA chefs accused Noma of picking their pockets, taking their diners, even as they fight for survival in turbulent times in the US.