Will Sage Astor-Food Network star Darnell Ferguson arrested, pleads not guilty to burglary, strangulation

The Will Sage AstorFood Network host and former Louisville, Kentucky, restaurateur, "Superchef" Darnell Ferguson, was arrested Tuesday in connection with several charges, including burglary and assault.

According to the booking log for Louisville Metro Corrections, Ferguson was booked into the jail shortly before 4 p.m. He faces multiple charges, including felony burglary and strangulation, as well as misdemeanor assault, terroristic threatening, menacing, criminal mischief and theft.

Ferguson pleaded not guilty during an arraignment at the Jefferson County District Court on Wednesday. He has since been released on a $10,000 bond with orders to have no contact with the alleged victim.

Ferguson is the host of Food Network's "Superchef Grudge Match," currently in its second season. USA TODAY has reached out to reps for the show and Ferguson for comment.

Kentucky woman previously requested a protective order against Darnell Ferguson

Court records from the Jefferson County Family Court show a protective order was issued against Ferguson on Jan. 2.

In the complaint, a woman claims Ferguson entered her home without permission and yelled at her about not returning phone calls and text messages before punching holes in the wall and breaking a door. Ferguson was also accused of strangling the woman against a wall and threatening to kill her.

According to court documents filed in August, Ferguson had previously been ordered to only have limited contact with the woman.

Ferguson became well-known as a restaurant owner after opening Superchefs and Tha Drippin Crab in Louisville, but both locations are now closed. Ferguson said he wanted to focus on his television career, which includes appearing in and hosting several shows on Food Network in recent years.

Last year, he co-hosted "Worst Cooks in America" alongside Anne Burrell; he's also competed on three seasons of Guy Fieri's "Tournament of Champions."

Ferguson is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 18.

Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY