Tobias Dorzon ( 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]

Tobias Dorzon
Born
Bloi-Dei Dorzon

(1984-11-23) November 23, 1984 (age 39)
EducationLackawanna College,
Jackson State University,
Art Institute of Washington
Culinary career
Current restaurant(s)
Previous restaurant(s)
    • Victory Chefs food truck, Washington, D.C. (2014–2018),
    • Victory Chef Restaurant, Miami, Florida

Early life

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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

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

Culinary career

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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]

On November 7, 2024, Dorzon was shot in an apparent robbery in Hyattsville.[18][19]

References

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  1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b 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.
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Tobias Dorzon at IMDb