René Redzepi
CHEF AND CO-OWNER, NOMA
WHAT IS YOUR CALLING CARD?
Time and place. Those words are so basic, yet they’ve been our compass. They molded Noma’s soul, fired up our success, and steered us through the fog. Where in the world are you, and what’s the season… the texture of a day, its flavor, its scent?
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
A father, a husband, a chef—always on the hunt and tangled in thoughts, often swamped in work and worries. Boundlessly curious and loyal to family and friends.
WHAT’S COMING UP FOR YOU IN 2024?
This is a pivotal year for me and Noma. We’re uprooting to Japan for half a year, bringing family and our 100-strong crew along, while dreaming up Noma’s next 20 years: What’s the shape of longevity? How do you build something that lasts?
WHAT’S ONE BOOK, WORK OF ART, ALBUM, OR FILM THAT GOT YOU THROUGH AN IMPORTANT MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE?
My first two memories that stand out: reading Willard Motley’s Knock on Any Door as an early teen. I was drawn by a boy’s fight to the top. And Labyrinth, a movie with mazes, quests, and secrets. Also the David Bowie soundtrack was one of my first albums ever.
““If we could all put our phones down a little while eating, it would be better for everyone.””
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF IN YOUR INDUSTRY? LESS OF?
If we could all put our phones down a little while eating, it would be better for everyone.
NAME AN INFLUENCE OF YOURS THAT MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE.
Growing up with a Muslim father and a secular mother, I’ve never seen myself as particularly religious, and I’m not even sure about being spiritual. It’s a puzzle to me. Yet, I’ve completed the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage twice, a challenging Buddhist temple walk that has influenced me deeply.
DESCRIBE A RECENT CROSSROADS AT WHICH YOU FOUND YOURSELF.
The death of my father was the most significant crossroads in my life, unleashing a volcanic eruption of emotions. Long-forgotten and deeply buried memories surfaced, leading to a whirlwind of reflection on my entire life. Six years on, things have improved.
in your life?
