Geoffrey Zakarian is an American chef, restaurateur, television personality, and author who has an estimated net worth of $6 million.
Geoffrey has established himself as a leading figure in the culinary world through his successful restaurants, television appearances, and books. Zakarian has accumulated significant wealth from his various business ventures.
Geoffrey Zakarian Net Worth
Geoffrey Zakarian has accumulated considerable wealth and has a net worth estimated to be around $6 million as of 2023. His fortune comes from his restaurants, television appearances, book deals, and other business ventures.
Zakarian’s restaurants provide the backbone of his income. He earns revenue through establishments like The Lambs Club and The National in New York City. Zakarian also makes money from restaurants in his partnerships with hotels and cruise lines. For example, his oceanfront eatery at the Norwegian Cruise Line generates significant income.
Television has been another pillar of Zakarian’s wealth. He earns sizable fees for appearances on shows like Chopped, The Kitchen, Hell’s Kitchen, and his programs. Zakarian likely makes over $100,000 per episode or season of hosting work. His recognizable persona helps promote his restaurants and food products, bringing in more revenue.
Cookbooks have been another revenue stream for Zakarian. His publications like The Geoffrey Zakarian Cookbook and My Perfect Pantry sell well, bringing book royalties and advances. Promoting the cookbooks on his TV shows boosts sales further.
Early Life and Education
Geoffrey Zakarian was born in 1959 in Worcester, Massachusetts, and had an early interest in food and cooking. His Armenian heritage exposed him to various cuisines and flavors, which he said sparked his lifelong passion for cooking.
Zakarian spent his childhood in Worcester, which had a diverse immigrant population that influenced the city’s dining scene. During high school, Zakarian began working at local restaurants to gain experience in restaurant kitchens. This early exposure fueled his interest in pursuing cooking as a career.
After graduating from high school in Worcester, Zakarian attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He graduated in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. However, Zakarian has said that he spent much of his college years continuing to work in restaurants, which he found more engaging than academics.
Though Zakarian did not formally study culinary arts, he made vital connections during college, allowing him to learn on the job. After graduation, he landed an apprenticeship at the distinguished French restaurant Le Cirque in New York City. This apprenticeship helped Zakarian hone his natural cooking skills into polished, professional ones.
Culinary Career
After college, Geoffrey Zakarian moved to France for a staging position at the distinguished Le Cirque restaurant. This experience helped him refine his techniques and knowledge. In 1987, Zakarian secured a position as executive chef at the Patroon restaurant in New York City. Zakarian revamped the menu with creative American cuisine and earned critical praise, including a 3-star review from The New York Times.
Over the next several years, Zakarian worked as executive chef at several renowned New York restaurants. He gained a reputation as one of the leading chefs specializing in modern American cuisine.
In 2011, Zakarian achieved a career milestone by opening his first restaurant called The Lambs Club. The upscale restaurant in midtown Manhattan focused on classic American cuisine with modern techniques. The Lambs Club received the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant and praise for its dishes like duck egg ravioli and chocolate souffle.
Zakarian has since opened several other successful restaurants. These include bars like The National Bar & Dining Rooms and Point Royal at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Florida. He has also launched casual eateries like Georgie in Montauk, New York.
Television Career
Zakarian began regularly appearing on television in the early 2000s as a judge on shows like Chopped on the Food Network. His straightforward commentary and dapper style made him a recurring presence on competitive cooking programs.
In 2011, Geoffrey Zakarian co-hosted and judged The Next Iron Chef. His chemistry with co-host Alton Brown led to their spin-off show The Kitchen, which premiered in 2014 on Food Network. The Kitchen featured Zakarian and Brown with a rotating panel of co-hosts cooking dishes and discussing food topics.
Zakarian has also hosted several of his TV shows. These include Cooks vs. Cons in 2016, The Most Amazing Breakfast Foods Ever in 2017, and Family Food Showdown in 2020. Across these programs, Zakarian served as a judge, mentor, and promoter of home cooks.
Zakarian became a judge on the popular series Hell’s Kitchen alongside head chef Gordon Ramsay. Zakarian’s recurring role showcased his culinary expertise on a global stage.
Author and Entrepreneur
Geoffrey Zakarian has authored three cookbooks. His first book was Town/Country: 150 Recipes for Life Around the Table in 2012. He then published My Perfect Pantry: 150 Easy Recipes from 50 Essential Ingredients in 2014. His third cookbook, The Geoffrey Zakarian Cookbook, was released in 2021.
Zakarian has also launched several business ventures outside restaurants and television. In 2015, he debuted a line of electric pressure cookers and accessories with Emeril Lagasse. Zakarian also has a tabletop collection available through Noritake.
Earnings and Salary
Geoffrey Zakarian earns a substantial annual income from his numerous business ventures and TV appearances.
Zakarian’s restaurants are his primary source of earnings. His Lambs Club eatery in New York likely earns over $10 million annually based on average sales for similar high-end establishments.
With profit margins of around 10%, Zakarian could earn over $1 million per year just from that restaurant. His other restaurants, like The National, likely generate comparable earnings.
However, Zakarian earns between $100,000 to $150,000 for his appearances on shows like Chopped. With frequent TV work across multiple shows per year, these fees likely provide millions in annual income for Zakarian.
Zakarian also earns income from book royalties. His cookbook advances and royalties likely provide hundreds of thousands in earnings. He further monetizes his TV fame through endorsements and partnerships, adding more to his annual total.
Personal Life and Relationships
Geoffrey Zakarian married his wife, Margaret Anne Williams, in 2005. Together, they have three children – Anna, George, and Madeline.
Zakarian met Margaret while working as an executive chef at Patroon restaurant in New York City in the late 1990s. At the time, Margaret worked at a law firm. The two dated for several years before getting married.
Since marrying, Zakarian and Margaret have worked hard to protect their private life. Though Zakarian is a famous public figure with a busy schedule, he prioritizes family. He has stated that dinner with his wife and children each evening is sacred.
The Zakarian family resides in New York City but also spends time at their weekend home in Laurel Hollow on Long Island.
Margaret is involved in her husband’s business ventures. She previously published a cookbook called Geoffrey Zakarian’s Town/Country: 150 Recipes for Life Around the Table. Margaret also makes appearances and helps host events at Zakarian’s restaurants.
FAQs on Geoffrey Zakarian Net Worth
Where was Geoffrey Zakarian born?
Geoffrey Zakarian was born in 1959 in Worcester, Massachusetts. He grew up in the New England area.
What restaurants does Geoffrey Zakarian own?
Zakarian owns several renowned restaurants, including The Lambs Club and The National in New York City. Other restaurants are Point Royal at the Diplomat Resort in Hollywood, Florida, and Georgie in Montauk, New York.
What TV shows has Geoffrey Zakarian been on?
He has regularly appeared as a judge on Chopped, The Next Iron Chef, The Kitchen, Cooks vs. Cons, and Hell’s Kitchen. Zakarian has also hosted The Most Amazing Breakfast Foods and Family Food Showdown.
How many cookbooks has Geoffrey Zakarian written?
Geoffrey has authored three cookbooks: Town/Country: 150 Recipes for Life Around the Table, My Perfect Pantry: 150 Easy Recipes from 50 Essential Ingredients, and The Geoffrey Zakarian Cookbook.
Final Thoughts
Geoffrey Zakarian has attained remarkable success and wealth through his multifaceted career as a celebrity chef and restaurateur. His strong work ethic and talent were evident from an early age when he worked in restaurant kitchens. After formal training in France and New York, Zakarian’s skills propelled him to become executive chef at top restaurants in NYC.
Zakarian broke through to mainstream fame by starring in food television shows. His appearances as a judge on Chopped, Iron Chef, and Hell’s Kitchen made him a household name. Zakarian parlayed this TV popularity into opening numerous restaurants, writing best-selling cookbooks, and launching branded products.
