Introduction to Konro and its Demise
The Michelin Guide has officially stripped West Palm Beach restaurant Konro of its lone Michelin star months after police arrested its chef-owner, Jacob Bickelhaupt, on domestic-violence charges that have since been upgraded to attempted second-degree murder.
The French tire company has scrubbed the restaurant from its website along with its guide entry, a decision that marks the first time Palm Beach County has earned — and then lost — a Michelin star. It’s unclear whether the restaurant will reopen; while its website is down, its social media pages remain online.
The Reason Behind the Removal of Michelin Star
In an email response to the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Tuesday, the Michelin Guide stated it had removed Konro’s star because the “restaurant has closed.”
“The team keeps the selections up to date and given the restaurant has closed, it has been removed from the selection,” said Carly Grieff, a Michelin spokesperson.
Michelin’s statement seems to differ from its original response in June, when it told the Sun Sentinel that while it “firmly condemns all acts of violence, aggression and harassment,” it took no action following the chef’s arrest, arguing that “MICHELIN Stars are annual distinctions and therefore our Inspectors revisit the restaurants annually.”
The Charges Against Jacob Bickelhaupt
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office/Courtesy
Jacob Bickelhaupt, 41, faces charges of attempted second-degree murder and false imprisonment.
Bickelhaupt, 41, remains in Palm Beach County jail as of Wednesday, according to inmate records, and faces charges of attempted second-degree murder and false imprisonment following his June 2 arrest over an alleged assault at his home that investigators say lasted roughly two hours. Bickelhaupt has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office, which represents him, told the Sun Sentinel in a brief phone call on Tuesday that it does not comment on open cases.
According to Palm Beach County court records, Bickelhaupt’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8.
Timeline: What Happened to Bickelhaupt and Konro
Bickelhaupt’s acclaimed 10-seat chef counter Konro closed in June, nearly two years after it debuted in Flamingo Park Market on the edge of downtown West Palm Beach.
The sit-down was so named for the Japanese charcoal grill used in many courses, which included Japanese A5 Wagyu steak, edible floral arrangements of microgreens and crackling chicken-skin cones filled with foie gras and cloudberry jam.
The closed Konro restaurant in West Palm Beach, as seen on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
On June 2, almost two months after winning Konro’s — and by extension Palm Beach County’s — first Michelin star, Bickelhaupt was arrested on charges of aggravated battery causing bodily harm or disability and battery causing bodily harm.
The attack began when the victim, a woman who worked with Bickelhaupt, approached him asleep on the couch in the early-morning hours to persuade him to come back to bed, according to a probable cause affidavit. An argument ensued and Bickelhaupt allegedly followed her into the bedroom and started punching her in the face and kicking her, and kept on attacking even as she crawled away.
A Pattern of Behavior
In a 2022 profile of Konro, Bickelhaupt told the Sun Sentinel he had moved to West Palm Beach that June along with his wife with two equally ambitious goals: rebuilding his life and earning more Michelin stars.
At his acclaimed Chicago restaurant 42 Grams, Bickelhaupt had climbed the pinnacle of the culinary world, picking up two Michelin stars in 2014, 2015 and 2016. He also won Food & Wine’s Best Chef in 2015 and received James Beard Award semifinalist nods in 2016 and 2017.
But then those laurels, along with his reputation, slipped away in an act of violence that touched off years of controversy.
Documents filed in Cook County Circuit Court describe a June 4, 2017, attack by Bickelhaupt against his then-ex-wife, Alexa Welsh, in which he grabbed her “hair and threw (her) to ground, then struck victim in head with [a sparkling water] bottle, causing injury.” The attack resulted in lacerations requiring staples, according to Eater Chicago.
Conclusion
The removal of Konro’s Michelin star is a significant blow to the restaurant and its owner, Jacob Bickelhaupt. The charges against Bickelhaupt are serious and have sparked a lot of controversy in the culinary world. It remains to be seen whether the restaurant will reopen and how Bickelhaupt’s career will be affected by these events.
FAQs
Q: What happened to Konro’s Michelin star?
A: The Michelin Guide removed Konro’s star due to the restaurant’s closure.
Q: What are the charges against Jacob Bickelhaupt?
A: Bickelhaupt faces charges of attempted second-degree murder and false imprisonment.
Q: Will Konro reopen?
A: It is unclear whether the restaurant will reopen, as its website is down and its social media pages remain online.
Q: What is the current status of Jacob Bickelhaupt’s case?
A: Bickelhaupt’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8, and he remains in Palm Beach County jail.
Q: Has Jacob Bickelhaupt been involved in any previous incidents of violence?
A: Yes, Bickelhaupt has a history of violence, including a 2017 attack on his then-ex-wife, Alexa Welsh.
