Chef Timothy Hontzas Disqualified from 2023 James Beard Awards Over Code of Ethics Violation

Alabama chef Timothy Hontzas has been disqualified from this year’s James Beard Awards after allegedly violating the organization’s code of ethics, prompting accusations of hypocrisy and scapegoating. Hontzas was accused of yelling at customers and staff, and an anonymous accuser claimed he had an argument with an employee where “it got physical.” Hontzas denies the allegations and says he was not given due process. The disqualification appears to be one of the first public examples of the code’s enforcement, which was introduced as part of the foundation’s commitment to social justice and equity.