Tobias Dorzon

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗
Tobias Dorzon
Born
Bloi-Dei Dorzon

(1984-11-23) November 23, 1984
EducationLackawanna College,
Jackson State University,
Art Institute of Washington
Culinary career
Current restaurants
Previous restaurants
    • Victory Chefs food truck, Washington, D.C. (2014–2018),
    • Victory Chef Restaurant, Miami, Florida

Tobias Dorzon (né Bloi-Dei Dorzon;[1] born November 23, 1984)[2] is an American chef, restaurateur, and former professional football player.[3][4] His cooking has been influenced by his West African heritage.[5] Dorzon has appeared on Chopped, Tournament of Champions, Last Bite Hotel, and Guy's Grocery Games.[6][7][8]

Early life

Dorzon's parents are immigrants from Liberia who raised him in Maryland.[9][10] His father owned a West African restaurant.[9] He attended Lackawanna College and Jackson State University.[1]

Football career

Dorzon played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League, and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League.[6][11][12][13]

Culinary career

In 2012, during the football off season, Dorzon attended the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Washington.[14][15]

In 2018 Dorzon opened Union District Oyster Bar and Lounge in Washington, D.C. In 2021, he helped open Thirteen Restaurant in Houston, Texas.[16] In 2022, he opened the restaurant Huncho House in Hyattsville, Maryland, where he serves as the executive head chef.[17][6]

Personal life

On November 5, 2024, Dorzon was shot in an apparent robbery in Hyattsville.[18][19] In November 2025, Dorzon competed on a holiday version of Tournament of Champions; it was his first appearance back on Food Network since the shooting.[20] He told the media that he was shot 11 times after getting out of an Uber with his girlfriend, with at least $100,000 worth of jewelry stolen.[20] As of November 2025, one person was caught and is facing criminal charges, while others have still yet to be caught.[21]

References

  1. Hanson, Logan (October 5, 2022). "Tobias Dorzon a successful chef years after NFL, CFL careers". BVM Sports. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  2. "Bloi-Dei Dorzon football Statistics". StatsCrew.com. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  3. Phillips, Michael (2016-08-06). "Success on menu here". Richmond Times-Dispatch. pp. C1 and C2. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  4. Connley, Courtney (March 12, 2018). "How Instagram helped former NFL player Tobias Dorzon find six-figure success as a personal chef". CNBC. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  5. name=Jennifer-2022
  6. "Former NFL player turned chef opens restaurant in Prince George's County". WTOP News. August 10, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  7. Williams, JaNae (October 16, 2024). "And then there were 3: Does the final 3 include OKC's Kevin Lee on 'Last Bite Hotel?'". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  8. Onyeneho, Laura (March 17, 2022). "Thirteen hosts watch party for Chef Tobias Dorzon debut on Food Network". Defender Network. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  9. Barthole, Jenn (September 11, 2022). "Pro Athlete-Turned-Award Winning Chef Tobias Dorzon Is Taking the Culinary World by Storm". Ebony. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  10. Hagos, Eden (January 10, 2017). "From Pro Athlete To Chef To The Stars: Chef Tobias Dorzon's Journey". Black Foodie. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  11. "Losing sister never gets easier for Blue Bombers' Bloi-Dei Dorzon". National Post. July 7, 2012.
  12. "Bombers pluck Dorzon off practice roster to fill tailback slot". The Globe and Mail. June 27, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  13. "Four former Lackawanna College Falcons sign NFL contracts". The Times Leader. May 2, 2010. p. 9. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  14. Matthews, Joya (February 7, 2019). "From Santana Moss to Snoop Dogg, Tobias Dorzon shares journey from gridiron to waffle iron". Andscape. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  15. "Victory Restaurant and Lounge coming to former Bar Lorea space at 14th and U Street, NW". Popville. December 9, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  16. Ponder, Erica (July 18, 2022). "Coming to H-Town: Thirteen Houston executive chef Tobias Dorzon, social media famous chef Matt Price launch new traveling dining experience". KPRC. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  17. Douglas, DeVaughn. "Thirteen's Chef Tobias Dorzon Opens Huncho House". Houston Press. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  18. Limehouse, Jonathan (November 7, 2024). "'Senseless': Tobias Dorzon, NFL player turned celebrity chef, shot in Maryland robbery". USA Today – via MSNBC.
  19. Hilton, Jasmin (November 7, 2024). "Maryland Chef of The Year Injured in Shooting, Family and Lawmakers Say". The Washington Post.
  20. "Food Network Star Tobias Dorzon Speaks Out After Being Shot 11 Times During Robbery (Exclusive)". People.com. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  21. "Food Network chef Tobias Dorzon walking after being shot 11 times in Maryland armed robbery". Fox News. November 6, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.

Tobias Dorzon at IMDb