Geoffrey Zakarian was born on 25 July 1959, in Worcester, Massachusetts USA. He is a chef, restaurateur, host, consultant, and author, probably best known for his numerous appearances in different television cooking shows like “Chopped”, “24 Hour Restaurant Battle”, and “Iron Chef”. These along with the numerous restaurants under his name make up a good portion of his current net worth.
How rich is Geoffrey Zakarian? Sources estimate a $6 million net worth, most of this attributed to his work in the restaurant industry. He owns multiple restaurants, and is partnered in a lot more. Books and television show contracts also help in this regard.
Geoffrey Zakarian Net Worth $6 Million
Geoffrey’s career started after he graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in New York in 1980. He apprenticed under chef Alain Sailhac and chef Daniel Boulud while working at the famous restaurant Le Cirque. In the span of five years, he claimed the title Chef de Cuisine which he held on to before moving on to other opportunities, but his net worth was assured.
In 1988 he became the executive chef for the restaurant, 44.- the New York Times gave praise to the chef for raising the standards of the trendy restaurant. He would then work for the Blue Door of the Delano Hotel in Miami before becoming the executive chef of the Patroon in Manhattan during 1998, which was given a review of 3-stars by the New York Times.
During the year 2000, Geoffrey would then work alongside chef Alain Passard in the three-Michelin star restaurant Arpege in Paris, before moving back to Manhattan in 2001, and opening the restaurant Town, and then four years later opening another restaurant named Country – these ventures would be the start of the exponential increase of his net worth. Both restaurants focused on his specific style of modern cuisine with roots in classic French cuisine. Both also earned three star reviews from the New York Times. Country would later on earn a Michelin star, and Town would close its doors in 2009. During this time Geoffrey had become a consultant and executive chef of the Water Club in Atlantic City and the Lamb’s Club in New York City.
Zakarian’s television appearances include being a judge in the Food Network series “Chopped”. He also appeared on the shows “Top Chef” and “Cutthroat Kitchen”. Aside from these, he was featured on shows like “24 Hour Restaurant Battle” and “Hell’s Kitchen”. He competed to be the Iron Chef twice, one in “Iron Chef America” during 2010 where he was defeated by Masaharu Morimoto, then he won the second competition “The Next Iron Chef” in 2011 battling Elizabeth Falkner in the finale.
Two cookbooks have also been authored by Geoffrey, the first released in 2006 and entitled “Geoffrey Zakarian’s Town / Country”, rated one of the best cookbooks in 2006. His second cookbook released in 2014 is entitled “My Perfect Pantry: 150 Easy Recipes from 50 Essential Ingredients”.
Geoffrey is not a stranger to disputes and legal issues. In 2011 he faced a lawsuit from former employees of his restaurant for gross violation of labor laws especially in terms of overtime pay, which forced him to declare bankruptcy. In 2015, he also withdrew from restaurant The National after being provoked by comments from Donald Trump. This resulted in a lawsuit filed by Trump with a sum of $10 million, as yet unresolved.
In Geoffrey’s personal life, he has been married to marketing executive Margaret Anne Williams since 2005, and they have three children.’ he was previously married to Heather Karaman. In a few interviews, Geoffrey has declared himself a libertarian and a subscriber to the magazine Reason.
