Geoffrey Zakarian

Geoffrey Zakarian is a chef, restaurateur and television personality best known for his appearances on Chopped, Iron Chef America and The Kitchen. Zakarian earned a degree in economics from Worcester State University before deciding to pursue a culinary career. He later graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.

Zakarian began his career working under chef Daniel Boulud at Le Cirque in New York City. He gained recognition as executive chef at 44 at the Royalton Hotel and later opened his own restaurants including Town and Country, both of which earned critical acclaim. His refined culinary style and consistent success in fine dining helped establish him as a prominent figure in the restaurant industry.

He became a familiar face to viewers through Iron Chef America featuring Bobby Flay, where he competed and later won The Next Iron Chef in 2011. He is a longtime judge on Chopped and a co-host on Food Network’s The Kitchen. Zakarian has authored several cookbooks and operates restaurants in New York, Florida and beyond.

Zakarian married Margaret Anne Williams in 2005. The couple has three children: daughters Anna (born in 2007) and Madeline (born in 2009) and son George (born in 2014).