MAD Academy

Think of it as mise en place for your future.

If you’re a chef, cook, sommelier, server, bartender, manager, entrepreneur, or anyone else working in hospitality, MAD Academy is for you. Our courses in effective leadership and environmental sustainability offer the tools and inspiration you need to bring about positive change in your business and the world at large.

Founded in 2019 by René Redzepi of Restaurant noma and executive director Melina Shannon-DiPietro, MAD Academy takes full advantage of its location in Copenhagen (itself a leader in the fields of cuisine and the green transition) and is taught by luminaries in the fields of gastronomy, science, business, and the arts.

Courses & Programs

Leadership & Business

Programs for individuals and rising leaders

Environment & Sustainability

Programs for individuals and rising leaders

Custom Programs

Bespoke programs for teams and businesses

Our Approach

At MAD, we know that hospitality businesses can be healthy, profitable, and rewarding places to work. We also know they have the power to improve the world around them. Our approach to spreading this knowledge rests on four pillars:

Expert Insight
MAD Academy’s faculty and guest lecturers include a wide range of leaders (such as chefs Magnus Nilsson, Katia & Tatiana Levha, and Douglas McMaster; entrepreneurs Yvon Chouinard and Klaus Wittrup; and artist Olafur Eliasson) who bring groundbreaking perspectives, deep knowledge, and infectious enthusiasm to their subjects.

Effective Techniques
Our curriculum integrates tools that are real-world-ready and provide immediate improvement. Infinitely adaptable to the variety of roles and organizations within our industry, each tool can be utilized throughout a hospitality career.

Expansive Mindsets
Along with specific solutions, MAD Academy emphasizes clear thinking and conscious choices. By coaching participants on how to clarify their paths forward and equipping them with the resources they need to fulfill their ambitions, we build the mindset to take the necessary actions and effect positive change long term.

Enduring Networks
The exchange of knowledge across cultures and contexts has produced some of the world’s greatest (and most delicious) ideas. MAD Academy brings together individuals from around the globe and all corners of our industry to share experiences and perspectives. And when the course is over, alumni continue to draw on a thriving international community of peers from more than 60 countries for new opportunities and learning experiences.