Food Network Star Tobias Dorzon Shot as Police Seek 5 People

Five people are being sought by authorities after a celebrity chef was among those shot during an apparent robbery in Maryland.

The shooting occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Hyattsville, Md., as the suspects tried to rob a man and woman who had just returned from dinner, according to a statement from the Hyattsville Police Department. 

Police said the victims were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. While authorities did not not identify the victims, a local council member said that local celebrity chef Tobias Dorzon was among those shot.

“Chef Dorzon owns two amazing restaurants in Hyattsville, is a valued member of the District 2 community, and my dear friend,” Prince George’s County Council member Wanika Fisher said in a statement shared on Wednesday, Nov. 6. 

“Such a horrible act couldn’t have happened to a better person,” she added of the chef, who has also appeared on “several Food Network programs.”

According to WBAL-TV, Dorzon appeared on Food Network shows like Guy's Grocery Games and Tournament of Champions.

Dorzon hosts Timeout with Tobias on ESPN+ and Hulu and is the owner of Huncho House and 1123 By Chef Tobias, according to his Instagram bio. Dorzon posted a statement on his restaurants’ Instagram pages after the incident, thanking the public for sending messages of support.

“I’m incredibly grateful to be on the road to recovery, and my heart is full seeing your messages,” he wrote, in part. “Though this incident shook us, my team is stronger than ever, and our doors remain open to serve you the food we love creating.” 

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Police said they are searching for five suspects and a white SUV with a sunroof and an unknown tag. 

Dorzon was named 2024 Chef of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Maryland, per Fisher’s statement. 

Prior to his career as a chef, Dorzon played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tennessee Titans, according to WTOP-FM.