Geoffrey Zakarian

Apprenticing under renowned chef Daniel Boulud at Le Cirque from 1982 to 1987 as a Chef de Cuisine, Geoffrey Zakarian built a formidable foundation in classical French cuisine after earning an associate degree from the Culinary Institute of America. His early career progression continued in 1990 as Executive Chef at 44 in the Royalton Hotel in midtown Manhattan, a role that garnered significant critical acclaim. Further expanding his executive chef roles, Zakarian led Patroon in Manhattan, which received three stars from The New York Times in 1998, following his engagement with the Blue Door of the Delano Hotel in Miami Beach. Zakarian’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to launch his own successful Manhattan restaurants, opening Town in 2001 and Country in 2005.

His television presence continued to grow as he became a co-host on ‘The Kitchen’ in 2014 and began hosting ‘Cooks vs. Cons’ in 2016, showcasing his culinary expertise to a broad audience. Beyond his extensive restaurant portfolio and television engagements, Zakarian remains actively involved in philanthropic endeavors, notably serving as Chairman of the City Harvest Food Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing hunger in New York City. Looking ahead, he is set to compete on ‘Wildcard Kitchen’ in 2025, continuing to engage with new culinary challenges and audiences.