Beard Award-winning Birmingham chef nearly died at a popular Homewood meat-and-three
Another renowned chef came to his rescue after an errant bite of chicken, he said.
Mason Reed 
Johnny’s in Homewood is widely celebrated for its elite meat-and-three menu, but recently, Chef Timothy Hontzas proved his skills go far beyond the kitchen stove. The James Beard-recognized chef turned life-saver during a harrowing emergency involving a fellow culinary titan.
A Kitchen Rescue
Chris Hastings, the James Beard award-winning co-owner of Birmingham’s Hot and Hot Fish Club, shared the dramatic story on this week's episode of the Word of Mouth Podcast. While dining at his favorite meat-and-three spot, Hastings found himself in a life-or-death situation when a piece of chicken became lodged in his throat.
Thinking he could clear the blockage, Hastings attempted to wash the chicken down with a glass of tea. Instead, the situation escalated rapidly. "Down goes about half a cup of tea, and I can’t breathe," Hastings recalled.
Swift Action
Realizing the severity of the moment, Hastings knew he needed immediate intervention. He refused to slip away to a bathroom, opting instead to find someone he could trust for help. He headed straight to the kitchen to find Hontzas.
"I go into the kitchen, and his eyes get as big as saucers," Hastings said. Hontzas immediately stepped in, performing the Heimlich maneuver with intense force. "So, he jacks me up and does it about five times. He put every ounce of energy he had until he picked me up and wham. And then out came the tea, out came the chicken."
Reflecting on the near-fatal incident, Hastings was clear about the outcome: "If that failed, I would not be sitting here today. I would be dead as a post."
Local Culinary Staples
Johnny’s has been a staple in the Homewood dining scene since it opened in 2012, serving up Greek specialties alongside traditional favorites like collard greens and fried chicken. Chef Hontzas is no stranger to accolades himself, having been named a James Beard Foundation “Best Chef South” finalist in 2022 and a semifinalist on four separate occasions.
