Geoffrey Zakarian Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Height, Children, Restaurants, Chopped, Controversy, Books

Geoffrey Zakarian is an American chef, restaurateur, and media figure whose precision-driven approach and refined modern-American cuisine first gained attention during his tenure as executive chef at Manhattan’s 44 in the Royalton Hotel.

His polished style and deep culinary knowledge led to victories on The Next Iron Chef and a recurring role as a judge on Food Network staples such as Chopped and The Kitchen.

Beyond television, Zakarian has built a portfolio of acclaimed restaurants across New York, Atlantic City, and Miami, earning him a loyal following among food enthusiasts.

Profile

• Full name: Geoffrey Zakarian
• Date of birth: July 25, 1959
• Age: 66 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
• State of origin: Massachusetts
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Chef; restaurateur; television personality; author
• Height: 175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
• Weight: 72 kg (159 lb)
• Eye color: Brown
• Hair color: Salt-and-pepper
• Parents: George Zakarian (father); Viola Hekowicz (mother)
• Siblings: Virginia Zakarian (sister); George Zakarian (brother)
• Spouse: Heather Karaman (divorced); Margaret Anne Williams (married 2005)
• Children: Anna Zakarian, Madeline Zakarian, George Zakarian
• Relationship status: Married to Margaret Anne Williams
• Ethnicity: Armenian and Polish descent
• Net worth: US $12 million

Early Life and Education

Geoffrey Zakarian, now at the age of 66, was born July 25, 1959, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to Armenian-American musician George Zakarian and Polish-American Viola (née Hekowicz).

He grew up alongside his sister Virginia and brother George and graduated from Burncoat High School in 1977.

He earned an economics degree at Worcester State University before deciding to pursue the culinary arts, obtaining an associate degree from the Culinary Institute of America in 1982.

He then apprenticed under Daniel Boulud at Le Cirque, rising to chef de cuisine by 1987.

Personal Life

Zakarian’s first marriage to restaurant manager Heather Karaman lasted approximately ten years.

In July 2005, he wed marketing executive Margaret Anne Williams.

The couple has three children—Anna, Madeline, and George—whose names have been publicly disclosed. He keeps his family life largely private.

Career

After Le Cirque, Geoffrey Zakarian served as executive chef at 44 in the Royalton Hotel, blending French technique with American ingredients.

He went on to oversee kitchens at Patroon and the 21 Club, then launched his own New York restaurant, Town, in 2001.

In 2011 he won The Next Iron Chef, earning the title Iron Chef Geoffrey, and has since judged over 400 episodes of Chopped and co-hosted 490+ episodes of The Kitchen on Food Network.

His group, Zakarian Hospitality, now operates venues in New York City, Atlantic City, and Miami—such as The Lamb’s Club and Kitchen Sink—and he hosts Cooks vs. Cons.

Awards

• The Next Iron Chef winner (2011)
• James Beard Foundation nominee, Best Chef: New York City (year not publicly detailed)
• Daytime Emmy Award nominee, Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host (The Kitchen)

Net worth

Geoffrey Zakarian’s net worth is estimated at US $12 million, reflecting his restaurants, television career, cookbooks, and consultancy work.

Controversy

In 2011, Zakarian filed for personal bankruptcy amid a class-action suit by former employees alleging unpaid wages; it was settled out of court.

In 2015, he withdrew from a planned restaurant at Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., citing conflicting values after Donald Trump’s remarks; Trump sued for lost rent, and the dispute was settled in April 2017.

Social Media

• Instagram: @geoffreyzakarian
• Twitter (X): @GZakarian

Filmography

• Chopped
• Chopped Junior
• The Next Iron Chef
• Iron Chef America
• The Kitchen
• Cooks vs. Cons
• 24 Hour Restaurant Battle
• Cutthroat Kitchen
• Wildcard Kitchen

Books

• Geoffrey Zakarian’s Town / Country: 150 Recipes for Life Around the Table (2006)
• My Perfect Pantry (2012)
• Play with Fire (2015)