I-Team: 'Dining with Darius' accused of giving homeowners heaping helping of heartburn

By Randy Travis
Published April 18, 2022
ATLANTA - Online food personality Darius "Cooks" Williams may have violated multiple short-term rental rules plus a city ordinance when he hosted a paid event last month in Atlanta.
This comes one month after a Vrbo homeowner in Texas called police to have Williams removed when she realized what he was really doing in her home.
Williams, 40, charges $215 each for a seven-course meal he prepares and serves to customers in various cities around the country. The price is due to rise to $289 next year.
'Dining with Darius' accused of giving homeowners heaping helping of heartburn
He pushes the events through his social media pages, some of which claim more than 1 million followers.
But his Atlanta-based company DariusCooks has been the subject of numerous complaints from customers who say they did not get what they paid for.
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[@Lifeisshortby]

He’s basically running an bar and restaurant without any type of license.

[@sharkdog23]

exactly.

[@yomamagagaga]

Who tf cares bro

[@QueenSonora]

@@yomamagagaga people care because he's a crappy person who doxxes people, while exposing their children, who complain about his food

[@kosmicinclinations3333]

@@yomamagagaga the law does.

[@jbo6096]

@@kosmicinclinations3333 they want their cut. F the middle man

[@Bayoubelle83]

Imagine being grown and following somebody’s orders to harass someone. 😔

[@Mill-33]

This! I will never understand the thinking process of some people 😔

[@GoodVibesNewlevel2023]

That part!

[@laranini9660]

It’s a cult mentality, a bunch of losers

[@SuperKim2981]

Right😂😂😂 Unfortunately, it happens

[@honeyvoss1477]

That’s the really sad part.

[@jenjenjinger]

Why are people still supporting him?

[@jenjenjinger]

@@pm3434 thank you for adding nothing meaningful to my original comment.

[@Dontatmebr0]

@@jenjenjinger answered your question though

[@fairymermaid9013]

@@Dontatmebr0 Not at all OP asked why and the reply answered who......

[@Dontatmebr0]

@@fairymermaid9013 That should answer it. Look at who and then that is why. Low IQ’s.

[@jerico80]

@@fairymermaid9013 If you see the type of people, you understand why they are supporting him. Its not rocket science.

[@jazzminh7997]

If he keeps this up he’ll make a for a good prison chef.

[@patrickragland3996]

He'll be braiding somebody's hair too hontee. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@jazzminh7997]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@Dreamtravelthings]

😂

[@uchechi1982]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@KoKoTheSagittarius]

🤣🤣🤣

[@mimose5747]

😅 who is out here still trying to get “a dining experience” with this man? His personality is disgusting…all this for his food?!🤨

[@jerico80]

All to be in the "in crowd"...so they can brag to their friends and post it on social media.

[@acestarone]

they must be greedy lol i couldn't give my money to that type of person.

[@Grown-N-Nosey]

You'd be surprised Sis. smh

[@erikarobinson3557]

Girrrrlll just to eat food you can cook at home! It’s all about the hype with his STUPID followers. And they will sit up and bash people behind this man.

[@lt3074]

that part is what i want to know.

[@iriemo721]

I’m so glad this station isn’t letting up on him. Get him Travis!! Apply pressure!!!

[@9sheri9]

Agreed! He needs to continue to stay on top of this one for real.

[@r0c87]

For nearly $300 you can literally dine at a top world restaurant with table service and food prepared by an actual chef. That people will spend as much for a phone-screen personality and chicken is crazy

[@dondiva531]

😂😂😂

[@sueann9065]

Doxing should be illegal.

[@daradiant1]

It is illegal! It's a crime and can be put in jail.

[@harambememorialpage]

It is.

[@katiel1979]

What is doxing

[@cray3175]

@@katiel1979 putting out people's personal info without consent in an attempt to sabotage.

[@jasminespencer3992]

The sad part about all this is it seems like a good business idea and if Darius had just done everything properly and above board he probably wouldn’t have had any problems. If you can get the people to buy tickets to your dinner, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a place that would allow you to host those people.

[@shamioshi]

It's greed. Using an Airbnb or Vrbo is cheaper than renting a legitimate venue and obtaining required permits. He pockets more $ that way. Also, some people are just shady..they lack integrity.

[@jasminespencer3992]

@@shamioshi Of course, I agree with you. It just seems like he didn’t need to do it that way, he was making enough profit to do it legitimately and pay a proper venue, it’s weird because he didn’t need to be shady.

[@thekeith-donovanexperience]

@@shamioshi he’s definitely one of them.

[@johnleon2594]

ALL THE REAL CRIME GOING ON IN THE A AND THIS IS A STORY 🤔🤔 THIS IS 🎓

[@cupcakegirl1064]

P

[@KeithMetoyer]

I simply cannot understand why he's not being weighed down with lawsuits by now..... these victims need to just to filing away on him and let the courts decide.

[@Joshuaeway03]

Victim???

[@KeithMetoyer]

@@Joshuaeway03 correct

[@fashionlife5348]

Haters yall mad he has a Business

[@KeithMetoyer]

@@fashionlife5348 not really and I'm sure them lawsuits about to start rolling in especially with the harassment. That'll really seal the deal since it's so much self incriminating evidence already out there.

[@fashionlife5348]

@@KeithMetoyer He rented a place just like any other Business no lawsuits can stop You from doing Business in a place you payed for

[@FreeSpirit47]

People who become too full of themselves, believing they are exempt to laws & rules, will eventually be held to the same rules & laws as other mortals. 😎

[@lavendersunsets7066]

Please stay on him Fox Atlanta! That reporter is hilarious.

[@dfromtheblock1537]

Yes he is 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@prettykayy8327]

What the reporter said lol I thought you liked being on camera 😂🤣🤣🤣

[@missblak00]

@@prettykayy8327 🤦🏽‍♀️😂😂😅

[@zombiecutiejc]

His fans are just mind blowing! 🤯These people know of his reputation & still want to support him until they themselves get burned 🔥 😒

[@zuiiee]

they think he'll never do it to them

[@dfromtheblock1537]

It’s crazy what food would do to you

[@tararodgers3684]

He Act Like He Is All That Why Don't He Open His Own Place 🤫🤔He Has No SHAME

[@5ive43]

how you mad at him for cooking & being famous for it

[@keitahentleigh7489]

... Probably because of there is a sucker born every minute... As long as silly men & woman patronize his events he will probably keep doing them... Do you know how much money he can make doing house rentals and packing people in for hundreds of dollars each?... He's getting over like a fat rat...

[@renneedwards9826]

@Peter exactly! I swear some people forget about the rules of BUSINESS 101! SMDH! 💯👀💅🏾

[@jmfia2391]

@@5ive43 you r a clown

[@NotfromDetroit]

He had two restaurants and they shut down.

[@melimel9265]

If that is how he treats people, especially his fans, I would not trust eating any of his food. He probably licks his fingers while he cooks.

[@strnglhld]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@darjohnston4222]

or spits in it

[@goddesslafwa7704]

He does😂 search up his live videos. Sometimes he tastes w cooking spoons, doesn't wash hands, eats over plates/pots of food

[@kolaoshun6298]

And has cooked with surgical drains attached to his body.

[@ElChupahuahua]

If you pay anything to eat anything that guy made, you get what you deserve.

[@NotfromDetroit]

Why are people so obsessed with him! He should be ashamed of hisself and I wouldn’t pay all that money to dine with him.

[@greenearthblueskies8556]

😂

[@explore8539]

His nasty 🤢 attitude reflects on his food. I wouldn't touch his food if was free.

[@NotfromDetroit]

@@explore8539 🤣

[@verbalassassin90]

*$200...I barely want to spend $60 going out to eat*

[@ryshellso526]

I'll pay more not to be around these sub-humans.

[@sandrafrazier7967]

Don't deal with people like him. He is unprofessional.

[@TriRacialAmericana]

Thank you for warning us about this SCAM ARTIST.

[@kcb3342]

Kids are off limits, he's a grown ass gay man, so I understand why he's so pressed and messy and insecure about criticism, especially targeting older women ... Disgusting

[@dawnsmart8283]

A VERY insecure coward

[@gphillimo]

People crazy for paying all that money for some basic food.

[@LadyAtheOnly]

But for his lazy, corrupt, and sleazy style of "doing business" he could have gone very far with his concepts. He's nothing but a extra messy, immature, grifter.👎🏾

[@lovelylillie4325]

300 bucks for crunk Kool aid a steak and some insults. I can stay home for that.😂😂

[@dawnsmart8283]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I’m crying! Crunk koolaid

[@merrymerryquitecontrary136]

What he’s doing is so dangerous. One thing to scam someone, but to put someone’s personal information and blatantly tell people to go after them….this world is full of crazy people how could he do that. Smh praying for all!

[@veniagivenchy1532]

That man have a problem . You'd think that once someone is exposed they'd stop but he kept on going . He's self sabotaging himself . Hopefully he'll get himself together before it's too late .

[@simplybad232]

He’s a messy Queen

[@CocoHighlights]

I just hate scamming people! Always looking for a way to come up off innocent people! 😡

[@FoougieTV]

What's scammy about it? They paid for food, and then ate.

[@CocoHighlights]

@@FoougieTV the other situation they didn’t. He cancelled the dinner and didn’t refund them but blocked them when they asked about their refund. What do you call that?

[@ninam.6781]

@@CocoHighlights that's probably Darius's alt account

[@ceecee6635]

Imma so confused on how this is a scam he needs to use event spaces instead of Airbnb but outside of that whats the scam. We quick to side on some bs

[@MisterUrbanWorld]

Never heard of this man a day in my life. Idc who you are, i'm not paying to have dinner with anyone. I can go with family to a local Chili's lol.

[@edwarda2033]

Pay with credit card, you can get refunds even if business refuses.

[@theempresss]

He makes them pay a year prior so their banks will not help

[@rickeybobbie]

@@theempresss wow

[@mshill2406]

@@theempresss thats evil

[@laranini9660]

@@theempresss wow tf 😒

[@loon3ytun357]

@@theempresss 🤣🤣🤣 a WHOLE YEAR?? Damn I need to start cooking and charging folks $500 (the extra is cause I’m kind and honest, so I won’t dox and I would do refunds lol 😂) … This reminds me of the dude (and his family) who was selling hair grower kit for like $400 but it was a scam AND EVERY SINGLE TIME he pops back up and start scamming again a MASS amount of ppl get got 🤣🤣 like come on guys let’s do our research b4 we give ANYONE/ANY BUSINESS our hard earned dollars

[@sheskates6551]

Arrogant criminals always tell on themselves.

[@davidanderson6148]

He is going to do that to the wrong person and get some street justice.

[@ramblinralph7609]

Compared to some wrecking crew parties I've seen, Darius' parties are pretty tame.

[@Aeon1019]

Simply EVIL! .....

[@Maryxxiii]

😂 This is what happens when you think your scamming ways are untouchable.

[@greenearthblueskies8556]

When you play with people money, they might find u in a bad situation.

[@michellepatrick5175]

If the guy decides to go legit he will be spending a lot of time & money online with state government for licenses and permits. He won't be getting rich but at least he can work when he wants for who he wants. People who follow all the laws and regulations will all agree. He has a great idea but would need a crew of at least 60 and be hosting events in 3,4 locations every week to really make some dough.

[@francobrown7232]

Damn, I see dude online cooking all the time! I didn't know he got down like this 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@RPL88]

He is a disgusting human being and his followers who harassed that woman are is even worst. Yikes.

[@tashanastanley2080]

His character has always been revealed on social media. He is very unkind, I unfollowed him some time ago. I’m glad this is getting media coverage so people can see who they are really doing business with.

[@luvingg]

How long is he going to be able to scan people. This has been going on for years.

[@flowerpow8472]

So what do the events include? Him talking and serving food? Do they have some sort of training course, private music performance or what for $280 a person. What's included?

[@squarebear619]

All they get is a rented upscale home with a home cooked meal from a home cook that steals recipes from those better at the culinary arts and koolaid with liquor/wine in it.

[@rememberselfcare]

By doxing some ppl, he knows that other ppl will be afraid to complain for fear that all of their private info will be made public. Posting children pic is a new kind of low. And the ppl who still attend his events are just as scandalous as he is. So if one of your friends says they bought tickets to a Darius event, they should no longer be your friend. Birds of a feather flock together.

[@barbie6695]

word.

[@Lovelybrownone]

He gets his employees to rent them on their name now. He’s still on a roll with scamming people as well. Me included!

[@_eatyourveggies]

If you still support Darius, good for you. He’s NOT a businessman.

[@nla5307]

It's finally coming down on him. Karma never misses anyone.

[@msabccbscnnoanfoxnews]

215 to 285 That might be the amount he charges to get in but it's also the amount you have to weigh in order to get in and eat that crap

[@lucasbludeamon8325]

I used to followed him on Facebook for few years bc the recipes looks so good. Not even a year ago, I found out he’s a scam and what he did in the comment on Facebook made me unfollow him. Something about putting customer’s card infos on Facebook….I can’t really remember but he violated customer’s privacy. He’s toxic.

[@sandramorris7864]

And more stupid folks will attend his next event. lol

[@DashaTheDivineDivah]

It's sad when people abuse their platform and opportunities

[@Starcvalentine]

I remember seeing a Live Andrew Caldwell did confronting Darius about his bad business practices. Darius needs to get it together. He can do great things if he'd just do everything properly. I wish the best for him and his business.

[@erbodyluvschoc]

I saw that as well and a bunch of Darrius's followers came for Andrew's neck. It was sickening to see ppl defend his terrible and unprofessional behavior. For the first time I had to side with Andrew (bc we all know Andrew is a whole character himself). But at least he's (Andrew) not out here swindling ppl out their money.

[@Wholesomereads]

They should’ve showed that clip of him cooking with his leaking surgical drains.

[@celestinelatham5869]

Truth be told ...you can't trust no one people....

[@kimberlyjeanpierre7540]

The people who called that woman should hope not to be In her place should they ever need a refund

[@jaym8299]

What a piece...

[@Imwright720]

Con artist. Pure and simple. He should be in jail for fraud. Charging and not providing the service is a criminal defense

[@after-lifeadvice7067]

This is more like snitching on a man's hustle.

[@dawnsmart8283]

Hustle? Con artist? Or scammer?

[@Alexandra-qc9te]

Upwards of $200 for "fried chicken croutons/peach salad" and some Crystal Light lookin, iced down Sangria served out of a Hooters plastic pitcher??!! These people think they're bougie yet they're just suckers .

[@malekatahcampbell6326]

He's going to end up in jail 👀

[@kosmicinclinations3333]

It's over with for him. Beginning of the end...watch

[@NopeUghUghAbsolutelyNot]

Didn't he recently miss a court case he initiated for a restraining order against one of his former customers??

[@mshill2406]

yep

[@dawnsmart8283]

She was a former follower/friend. Roland Martin interviewed her, it’s on KZbin. The judge wasn’t too happy about him missing the court date. He was on live when he shouldn’t have been in court. The court date has been rescheduled to May 17th

[@silkyslim2111]

When will people learn?

[@atnicholesplace7648]

He is really messy. Sad.

[@KayKay-hz9di]

His attitude and his pettiness makes his food ugly without seeing it scandalous gets you no where Darius just remember God don’t like ugly Karma isn’t far from knocking you down….❌🤷‍♀️👎🏾

[@bearthalamas9241]

This is the 2nd expose I've seen on Darius. He needs to be shut down.

[@tanya4534]

If you look up a picture of a scammer; you'll see a picture of this guy saying flamboyantly "Heeeeey."

[@RuthyLook]

"Red drank" lol. They even used their slang on the news. Can't make this up.

[@roman8747]

Darius is lucky someone hasn't showed up at his door with a baseball bat.

[@khatimmclean852]

This is just cheap, and ghetto. If you already have a business, and people are dealing with you, why do this?? Get a hall, or rent and outside space and get tents, it's so many other ways to host people. If you are going to be cheap, then don't let them post videos, when you already know you aren't in compliance! Just stupid! Once someone beats his ass for posting their info he'll stop. I hope he gets it together, and becomes more professional.

[@BlkBeauty561]

He just not gone stop until he end up in Jail.

[@shooshoo448]

I watched a few of dude's videos on Facebook months ago and had to stop because of that IRRITATING half a smirk 😏/smile he be having on his face as he seasons and prepares the food..

[@honeyvoss1477]

Pure narcissism.

[@talawoods25]

$215??? FOR WHAT!!

[@tashapasha2995]

Every dog has their day. This is just Darius’s karma on full effect for all of the bull💩 he has pulled over the years. Factor in all the scamming and he’s getting exactly what he deserves.

[@imerupp]

Two things, 1, If you got money to spend and you use it to be served an overpriced meal in a house that the host doesn't own your frontin just as hard as he is. And for 2, this type of brother, makes all brothers and sisters look bad, after watching some of his response videos after he gets caught he automatically says he is being targeted because of his race essentially.

[@theHAL9000]

Seemingly smart and with a viable business idea ... but evidently the need to con people to great to overcome.

[@tiffanyc8307]

He was wrong any time you serve food and drinks to people need proper license

[@sleepyzzz_9198]

The Queens can be scandalous and messy! This behavior isn't new, just mainstream now!!!

[@divinereflections5657]

I don't get this at all😡😡😡..who is paying this kind of money to eat food from another human being.......this dude is not that great of a cook

[@Phenomenal8448]

They keep messing with him and wanna complain afterwards.

[@TheRenegadeStarr]

Paying for an event space is not THAT hard. Wow. This is a case of hustling gone bad.

[@brucenome989]

They look like they really hating on this man having a dinner party doing nothing criminal all this s*** going on in the world of y'all worried about a man cooking for a group people. Atleast the place didn't get shoot up.

[@LaLaKnight]

He should rent out a place to host his parties instead of trashing peoples homes.

[@sonofthediasporal.l.c.331]

This is news?

[@MaryJaneJones.]

He pissed somebody off.

[@mesropmadzharyan6727]

Why not buy a house and do this

[@queenonyxbutterfly]

First he was taking people's money and not giving them products that they paid for and then when those people started to complain he would dox them and put out their personal information. What kind of s*** is that? Now he is out here making people sick? On top of trespassing? smh🤦🏽‍♀️

[@1plugdug102]

Damn Channel 5 quit hating

[@nathanrogers5277]

Why they didn’t mention that he is a former restaurant owner?

[@coreyj.7776]

I know why they have a 6 minute segment on this brother. Smh let this man be great. He came up with a profitable idea and all the haters are hating, especially that big girl. If you feel like he doing something wrong, help him get his business in order. With all the real crime that is going on in Atlanta, which only get 30 second clips from this channel, y'all spend 6 minutes on this.

[@ginay4878]

He’s bilking people out of money! Just bc there’s other crime going on doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be held accountable for breaking the law. What the hell kind of logic is that??

[@kawshin211]

You sound like a clown @Corey J

[@gettygets872]

Do you have a lick of sense? The man misrepresented her because he could not do business with Airbnb and they charged her $10,000 for services she did not use. And somehow she is in the wrong? You are special. Why don’t you offer up your information and let him take advantage of you? 🙄

[@abbylynn8872]

He's a scammer period. He doesn't refund people. If you complain he doxxes people. So no he doesn't get to be great.

[@christylibra33]

@@abbylynn8872 right!

[@brendahowe1898]

This guy needs to be arrested today

[@ddeeddee1380]

It should be a crime to hate on someone because they mind work better than yours

[@yolandacurtis1658]

He a queen forreal

[@drawingqueen4423]

Wow I didn't know all this

[@pozleo78]

That house manager got a kick back

[@No_nosay]

Why isn’t he in jail?!

[@kimmyrachelle6880]

Why do people keep patronizing his business. He openly scams people. And y’all just keep falling for it. It’s ridiculous.

[@edwarda2033]

Getting scammed for the Gram

[@FoougieTV]

What's the scam? They paid for a dining experience and received just that.

[@dawnsmart8283]

@@FoougieTV just KZbin his name and you will see lots of receipts. It’ll blow your mind

[@queen4one]

@@FoougieTV You need to go back and look at the video again. He used that young lady's account to book a room and also didn't offer refunds in services not rendered. He is not a good businessman. You have to look at the total process. So what he can cook? If he doesn't handle his business with intergrity it's not worth it.

[@FoougieTV]

@Harper oh damn, that's dirty af.

[@verbalassassin90]

*$200...I barely want to spend $60 going out to eat*

[@robsawyer8034]

He wasn't running a business. He was running a hustle.

[@professionalcheekclapper7608]

Facts 🤷🏽‍♂️ we gotta eat

[@sylviarobinson5952]

🤭

[@micheleotero1516]

He has no shame

[@NotfromDetroit]

At all.

[@iriemo721]

And no conscience. Guess he never learned about karma or do unto others. He’s a disgrace.

[@darjohnston4222]

privileged

[@josiedudouit1933]

This could be a lucrative gig for him, if he would follow the rules and get the right permits! Besides, you can't keep people's money if you don't deliver period!

[@thekeith-donovanexperience]

They are on this man’s neck!

[@Bih1stOfAll]

As they should

[@lovelylillie4325]

Oh well. He deserves it!!!

[@helena3631]

i follow him before ..he needs to start running an official buisness

[@Bih1stOfAll]

@@helena3631 I used to follow him too and unfolllowed when all this came out. I can't get jiggy with a crook and narcissist

[@delightful75]

And they should be