Horses Chef Accused of Abuse and Killing Cats in Divorce Submitting

This story mentions bodily violence towards individuals and particulars violence towards animals.

Horses chef and co-owner Liz Johnson has accused her husband and co-owner Will Aghajanian of abuse, in addition to killing the household’s cats, in a divorce submitting, studies the Los Angeles Occasions.

Johnson filed for a home violence restraining order towards Aghajanian in November 2022, the place she alleged that her husband bodily assaulted her and killed cats. Aghajanian denied the claims in courtroom filings calling them “false allegations.” Over the previous few days, nameless posters in addition to business insiders and journalists have been alluding to rumors round alleged behaviors from the Horses chef-co-owners.

In accordance with courtroom filings, Johnson stated that the household cat she took to an area shelter was severely wounded, with the shelter alleging the cat was abused, an accusation that Aghajanian denied. Johnson additionally alleged that Aghajanian had tried to feed the cat to coyotes as a result of he didn’t prefer it, in keeping with the submitting. Johnson additionally stated she caught Aghajanian “violently shaking the cat late at night time,” whereupon the pet died the subsequent day. “Will put the useless cat within the trash and insisted on conserving the corpse in the home,” stated Johnson. Johnson additionally claims within the filings that Aghajanian’s psychological and psychological abuse stored her from realizing what he was doing to the cats. It’s unclear whether or not Horses is open for enterprise however as of this afternoon, there have been nonetheless a number of reservations out there on Resy.

After the story was printed, the LA Occasions added feedback from Aghajanian. Responding to the allegations of home and animal abuse, he stated that he “beloved cats, mice. And each different animal beneath gods/allah no matter every faith calls him/her and have beloved all animals since I used to be a toddler.” He continued, “I’ve issues killing lobster, and often attempt to do it in essentially the most humane method attainable.” Aghajanian additionally instructed the Occasions that he believed Johnson was “attempting to take my companies away from me via divorce,” and making up false narratives. He alleged Johnson, “falsely accuses me of issues that she has accomplished or that she threatened to do to me and my pets. My pets are like youngsters to me and I like them dearly.”

Horses opened in September 2021 within the former Pikey/Ye Coach & Horses house, an almost 90-year-old constructing that had operated as a legendary Hollywood restaurant and dive bar for many years. Johnson and Aghajanian introduced a prolonged and celebrated resume from their time as co-chefs of Nashville’s celebrated Catbird Seat tasting menu restaurant. They have been reportedly ousted from that restaurant a yr later, however not earlier than being nominated as co-Rising Star Cooks by the James Beard Award Basis. Johnson additionally gained a James Beard nomination for her tenure at Freedman’s in Silver Lake.

Horses was an immediate Hollywood superstar favourite and earned optimistic opinions from the New York Occasions and Los Angeles Occasions. Although it wasn’t recognized when it opened, Eater LA reported in August 2022 that former Noticed Pig and Fireside & Hound proprietor Ken Friedman, who was accused of sexual harassment in 2017, was alleged to have been a companion in Horses. Each Johnson and Aghajanian denied that Friedman was concerned in Horses.

Johnson’s restraining order was permitted in December 2022 after which renewed on Might 1, 2023 by a decide. Per the LA Occasions, Aghajanian has been ordered to remain no less than 100 toes away from Johnson and her three canine. Aghajanian filed his personal restraining order alleging Johnson misled the courtroom and requested custody of two of the canine. He additionally claimed he was a sufferer of long-term abuse. On the time of publication, Johnson and Aghajanian have been nonetheless listed as cooks and co-owners of the restaurant on Resy.

Replace, Wednesday, Might 17, 3:55 pm: This text was up to date to replicate further feedback from Aghajanian through the LA Occasions.