Walker Art Center Cuts Ties with Cardamom Amid Controversy
By Darren Smith, Arts Reporter
April 14, 2026
The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis announced Thursday it is severing its business relationship with Cardamom, the popular restaurant housed within the contemporary art museum since 2021. The decision follows Cardamom’s controversial shift to a counter-service model that replaced front-of-house servers with QR code ordering, resulting in staff layoffs.
Walker Art Center’s striking modern architecture has long welcomed visitors to experience art alongside thoughtful dining. Executive Director Mary Ceruti stated the restaurant’s changes “do not align with the Walker’s vision for a dining experience.”
“We were caught by surprise by the changes at Cardamom and, after careful consideration, have decided to part ways,” Ceruti said in a statement. “While we do not oversee the restaurant in our museum, our vision has always been to have a full-service dining option within the Walker to complement the museum experience. The reduced-service model, which favors automated efficiencies over a human-centered approach, does not align with our core values.”
Cardamom, operated by chef-owner Daniel del Prado’s DDP Restaurant Group, implemented the new model last week amid reported financial and staffing pressures. The restaurant laid off approximately 16 hosts and servers, transitioning guests to phone-based QR code ordering for a counter-service setup. Back-of-house staff and bartenders were largely unaffected.
Del Prado indicated Cardamom will close at the Walker location within the next 60 to 90 days as the museum and restaurant group wind down operations. Severance packages were offered to affected employees, according to reports.
The move sparked immediate backlash from workers and the local community. Restaurant staff staged a protest outside the museum, some wearing T-shirts directing supporters to a GoFundMe for laid-off employees. Critics highlighted the abrupt nature of the notifications—some workers reportedly learned of their job losses with just days’ notice—and raised concerns about the dehumanizing aspects of replacing personal service with technology.
QR code ordering has grown common in the hospitality industry post-pandemic for its efficiency and reduced labor costs. Proponents argue it allows restaurants to adapt to fluctuating foot traffic, seasonal museum attendance, and staffing shortages. DDP Restaurant Group noted that discussions about the shift had occurred for several years, citing Cardamom’s dependence on Walker events and variable crowds.
However, opponents view the change as emblematic of broader trends prioritizing automation over meaningful human interaction, particularly in cultural institutions that emphasize community and experience.
The Walker Art Center, renowned for its bold contemporary exhibitions and commitment to artistic innovation, positioned its decision as consistent with institutional values. Museum officials emphasized that full-service dining enhances the overall visitor experience, fostering social connection alongside engagement with art.
As Cardamom prepares to depart, the Walker plans to collaborate with its staff during the transition period. Details about future dining options at the museum remain forthcoming.
This episode highlights ongoing tensions in the hospitality sector between operational efficiency and the preservation of service-oriented jobs. For cultural venues like the Walker, it raises questions about balancing artistic missions with the practical realities of on-site amenities.
In an era of rapid technological adoption, institutions increasingly face choices about what constitutes an authentic visitor experience. The Walker’s stance underscores a preference for human-centered design in both its galleries and ancillary services.
The story has drawn attention beyond Minneapolis, with coverage in major art and local news outlets reflecting wider debates on labor, technology, and the role of museums in supporting equitable employment practices.
Darren Smith is an Arts Reporter at Art Chain News covering contemporary art, digital art and NFTs, body art, and the intersections between these fields.
