Jacob Bickelhaupt: What to Know About Chef's Domestic Violence Charges

Bickelhaupt owns Konro, a Michelin-starred omakase restaurant in West Palm Beach.

June 18, 2025

Image: A photo of chef Jacob Bickelhaupt

Chef Jacob Bickelhaupt (pictured above) is facing additional criminal charges after his recent domestic violence arrest. Screenshot via 42 Grams trailer/YouTube

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On June 2, West Palm Beach police arrested chef Jacob Bickelhaupt on felony charges of aggravated battery and domestic battery after he allegedly beat a woman for several hours, causing her to suffer a seizure and a subdural hematoma — a potentially life-threatening collection of blood outside the brain. She was reportedly rushed into emergency surgery.

Days after Bickelhaupt's arrest, the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office filed additional criminal charges against the restaurateur, accusing him of violating a court-issued no-contact order by calling the woman on two occasions. The charges were later dropped in exchange for a misdemeanor charge of violating pretrial release.

On June 11, his felony battery charges were upgraded to attempted second-degree murder and false imprisonment.

As Bickelhaupt remains in a Palm Beach County jail without a bond, operations at Konro — his chef's table omakase restaurant in West Palm Beach — appear to be on hold.

Here's what to know about Bickelhaupt and his case.

Who is Jacob Bickelhaupt?

Bickelhaupt founded two Michelin-starred restaurants, including the now-shuttered 42 Grams in Chicago and Konro in West Palm Beach. He was recognized as the Food & Wine Best Chef in 2015 and was a semifinalist for a James Beard Award in 2016 and 2017.

click to enlarge

A photo of the 10-seat counter at Konro.

A dinner at Konro with drink pairing costs $735 per person.

Screenshot via Konro Restaurant/YouTube

When was Jacob Bickelhaupt arrested?

West Palm Beach police officers arrested him at his home on June 2.

Why was Jacob Bickelhaupt arrested?

Officers arrested Bickelhaupt for allegedly beating a woman over the course of two hours, resulting in a seizure and a subdural hematoma (a collection of blood outside the brain) that required emergency surgery.

What criminal charges is Jacob Bickelhaupt facing?

Bickelhaupt faces charges of attempted second-degree murder, false imprisonment, tampering with a witness, victim, or informant, and violating a domestic violence injunction. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

click to enlarge

A screenshot showing that Konro is listed as "temporarily closed" on the Michelin Guide's website.

Konro, a fine-dining restaurant in West Palm Beach, earned a Michelin star earlier this year.

Screenshot via Michelin Guide

When did Jacob Bickelhaupt move to South Florida?

In October 2022, Bickelhaupt and his wife, Nadia Bickelhaupt, moved to West Palm Beach and announced plans to open a restaurant there.

What restaurant does Jacob Bickelhaupt own?

Bickelhaupt owns Konro, a chef's table omakase spot in West Palm Beach. It debuted in October 2023 and earned a Michelin star earlier this year. After Bickelhaupt's arrest, the Michelin Guide website initially marked the restaurant "temporarily closed," but, at the time of this reporting, it no longer appears on the site.

Was this Jacob Bickelhaupt's first arrest?

No. In 2017, Bickelhaupt assaulted his ex-wife, Alexa Welsh, in the parking lot of their restaurant, 42 Grams, dragging her by her hair and striking her with a bottle. He later pleaded guilty to battery.

Alex DeLuca is a Miami New Times staff writer who focuses on news, crime, and public safety, education, and cannabis. Prior to joining New Times in June 2020, Alex worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel and freelanced for The Appeal. She holds a bachelor's degree from the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida.

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