Chef Tobias Dorzon, a former NFL player turned chef and restaurateur, has been named Chef of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Maryland, the first time a chef from Prince George’s County has received this honor.
Dorzon was recognized by Prince George’s County for his passion for food and dedication to improving the eating experience in the area.
At a recent council meeting, the 39-year-old Riverdale resident received a proclamation and was congratulated for keeping his skills in the county, according to WUSA9.
Dorzon, born and raised in Riverdale, Maryland, played in the NFL and owned a restaurant in Texas before coming to Hyattsville in 2022 to open Huncho House with his savings.
He stated during a speech, “We normally don’t get acknowledged since, growing up in P.G. County, we didn’t have anything to go home to or go out to eat. You have to go to D.C., Virginia, or Montgomery County.
“And it’s important that we have so many amazing chefs in our county and so many amazing opportunities to do things,” he told WTOP.
Dorzon is committed to campaigning for small business support in the county, stating, “I’ll always continue to advocate because I want to stay in the county and continue to grow the county.” I was one of the few that took the risk of returning to the county to contribute something to our community that I knew we never had because I grew up here.”
The acclaimed chef has appeared on several Food Network shows and presently presents Time Out with Tobias on ESPN and Hulu.
Dorzon attended the Art Institute of Washington and the Italian Culinary Institute to learn fine cuisine, according to Level. After graduating, he established a well-known clientele based on his deep knowledge of the optimal diet for athletes to perform effectively.
Tobias has worked as a personal chef for celebrities including Santana Moss, Rajon Rondo, Lil Baby, Chris Brown, and James Harden. He then became the executive chef at Harden’s restaurant Thirteen in Houston.