Geoffrey Zakarian was born on July 25, 1959, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He earned a degree in economics from Worcester State University and later studied culinary arts at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Zakarian then trained in France before launching his career as a chef, during which he led some of New York’s most acclaimed kitchens.

His television career took off in 2009 when he became a regular judge on Chopped. In 2011, he won The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs, earning the title of Iron Chef. In 2014, he joined The Kitchen as a co-host, a role he held for 12 seasons until the show ended in December 2025. He has also hosted  Cooks vs. Cons and Big Restaurant Bet on Food Network.

Beyond TV, Geoffrey Zakarian is a successful restaurateur; he opened his first restaurant, Town, in 2001, followed by Country in 2005. Today, he runs Zakarian Hospitality alongside his wife, Margaret Williams. The company operates several restaurants, including The Lambs Club and The National in New York City, as well as venues in Florida. He is also the founder of Corner Table Entertainment, a multimedia production company.