Food Network star Darnell Ferguson was arrested in Louisville, Kentucky on Tuesday on charges including theft and strangulation.
The “Superchef: Grudge Match” host also faces charges of assault, terroristic threats, intimidation, criminal mischief and theft, according to the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.
NBC affiliate WAVE reports that an emergency protective order was filed against Ferguson last week. According to court records, Ferguson entered a woman’s home without her permission and began to strangle her and threatened to kill her.
Ferguson is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 17.
The 36-year-old has been a staple on the Food Network, hosting his own show, “Superchef: Grudge Match,” whose second season began airing last month, and appearing on several other shows, including as a judge on “Chopped.” Appeared. ” “Supermarket Stakeout” and “Guy’s Grocery Games.” He also co-hosted season 25 of “Worst Cooks in America” with chef Anne Burrell.
The Philadelphia native received a culinary arts degree from Sullivan University in Louisville. He told the Tuscaloosa News in a 2012 interview that he was inspired to become a chef after discovering Emeril Lagasse’s cooking show “Emeril Live” when he was in high school. Ferguson was also among the group of chefs selected to cook for Team USA at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
Tuesday’s arrest is not his first encounter with the law. Ferguson had previously spoken openly about being arrested for selling drugs after returning from Beijing. The sixth – and last – time he was in prison, he said he realized he had “become everything they told you not to be in elementary school” and he decided to focus on cooking and never again Vowed not to return to jail.
He eventually opened his first restaurant, Superchefs, in 2012 and Tha Drippin’ Crab in 2021, but recently closed both locations.
