Former chef sues partner, Tilted Kilt operator

A former chef at the defunct Hennessy's Steak and Seafood and On-Q Billiards in Elgin is suing a former business partner, who sold the building for $4.3 million to a man who now operates the Tilted Kilt.

John Hennessy claims his former partner, Thomas Karabatsos, breached a contract agreement to pay him 10 percent of the profit for the building's sale and he is owed $221,000.

“It was in my operating agreement,” said Hennessy, of Marengo. “It's been over a year since this (sale) was done. Nobody has contacted me on anything.”

Hennessy also is seeking $64,000 in back pay, along with attorney's fees and other damages.

According to the suit, Hennessy was chef for the steakhouse and Karabatsos was the majority owner from Jan. 1, 2007, through Oct. 31, 2009.

Karabatsos sold the building initially purchased for $1.2 million in October 2009 for $3.4 million to Chris Giotakis, whose company is the operator for the new Tilted Kilt at the same address, 2300 Bushwood Drive, on the city's northwest side.

A phone message left at Karabatsos' home was not returned, nor was a message left at the Tilted Kilt for Giotakis.

Hennessy said both men have not returned his calls and he felt he had no other recourse but to sue.

“I felt that I was treated unfairly. I was there pretty much seven days a week,” he said. “We'll see what happens.”

The case is set for a hearing on Feb. 1.