Net Worth Ranker
What Is Geoffrey Zakarian’s Net Worth?
Geoffrey Zakarian, an American chef, restaurateur, television personality, and author, has an estimated net worth of $2 million as of 2025. While this figure might seem lower than expected given his extensive career, it’s crucial to consider his 2011 personal bankruptcy filing. This financial setback stemmed from a class action lawsuit brought by former employees alleging violations of labor laws.
Bankruptcy and Restaurant Earnings
In 2011, Geoffrey Zakarian faced significant financial strain due to a class action lawsuit filed by former employees. These employees claimed violations of labor laws, leading to a legal battle that ultimately resulted in Zakarian filing for personal bankruptcy. The lawsuit specifically cited issues such as failure to pay time-and-a-half overtime, deductions from paychecks for staff meals not provided, and falsification of pay records. According to the bankruptcy filing, Zakarian was contending with over $1 million in legal claims from kitchen staff at Country, a restaurant located in the Carlton Hotel.
The Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing listed 179 creditors, with 152 of them being former cooks at Country. A separate class action lawsuit further alleged that Zakarian did not provide proper overtime compensation, made unauthorized deductions for staff meals, and manipulated pay records to underpay employees. At the time of the bankruptcy filing, Zakarian reported assets worth no more than $50,000 and liabilities reaching up to $1 million. He was renting a home in Greenwich, Connecticut, during this period.
According to his publicist, the bankruptcy was a direct consequence of the substantial costs associated with defending against the class action lawsuit. Although Zakarian denied the allegations, the legal defense was projected to cost several hundred thousand dollars. The lawsuit also revealed financial details about the restaurant Country, indicating that it grossed approximately $9 million per year at its peak but never achieved profitability. Zakarian’s contract entitled him to 4% of the gross revenue, which would amount to around $360,000 in a year with $9 million in revenue. His wife also received an annual salary of $70,000. Additionally, the lawsuit claimed that the equivalent of 10% of the restaurant’s revenue was given away as complimentary meals to family and friends.
Early Life and Education
Born on July 25, 1959, in Worcester, Massachusetts, Geoffrey Zakarian comes from a diverse ethnic background. His mother, Viola, was of Polish-American descent, while his father, George, was an Armenian-American musician. He has a brother named George and a sister named Virginia. During his teenage years, Zakarian attended Burncoat High School, where he completed his secondary education and graduated in 1977. Following high school, he pursued higher education at Worcester State University, earning a degree in economics. After some time in France, Zakarian enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in New York, where he obtained an associate degree.
Career Beginnings and Executive Chef Roles
Geoffrey Zakarian’s culinary journey began as an apprentice chef under Daniel Boulud at Le Cirque, a renowned New York City restaurant. From 1982 to 1987, he progressed from Pastry Sous to Chef de Cuisine under Alain Sailhac. His first executive chef position came in 1987 at the 21Club. The following year, he became the executive chef of the Midtown Manhattan restaurant 44, located at the Royalton Hotel. In the 1990s, Zakarian opened the Blue Door restaurant at the Delano Hotel in South Beach, Miami, and became the executive chef of Patroon in Manhattan.
Restaurateur Ventures
In 2001, Geoffrey Zakarian launched his first restaurant, Town, situated at the Chambers Hotel on the East Side of Manhattan. Despite initial acclaim, Town closed its doors in 2009. In 2005, he established another restaurant, Country, at the Carlton Hotel. Zakarian’s other restaurant ventures include The Lambs Club and The National in New York City, Tudor House in Miami, and Point Royal in Hollywood, Florida. He also serves as a consultant at the Water Club in Atlantic City. In a controversial move, Zakarian withdrew from a planned restaurant at Donald Trump’s hotel in Washington, DC, following Trump’s remarks about immigrants. Trump subsequently sued Zakarian for lost rent and other damages, but the lawsuit was eventually settled out of court.
Television Career and Food Network
Geoffrey Zakarian has built a significant television presence, primarily through his involvement with Food Network. He is a judge on “Chopped,” a role he has held since the show’s premiere in 2009, appearing in numerous seasons. Zakarian has also been a judge on the spinoff series “Chopped Junior,” as well as “Top Chef” and “Cutthroat Kitchen.” He participated as a contestant on “Iron Chef America” in 2010 and “The Next Iron Chef” in 2011, winning the latter competition against Elizabeth Falkner. Since 2014, he has co-hosted “The Kitchen” with fellow chefs Sunny Anderson, Jeff Mauro, and Katie Lee. Marcela Valladolid co-hosted from 2014 to 2017, and Alex Guarnaschelli joined in 2020. Additionally, Zakarian co-hosted “Top 5 Restaurants” with Sunny Anderson from 2015 to 2016 and has hosted “Cooks vs. Cons” since 2016.
Personal Life and Other Ventures
Geoffrey Zakarian’s personal life includes a previous marriage to Heather Karaman, which lasted approximately a decade. In 2005, he married Margaret Williams, a marketing executive. Together, they have two daughters, Anna and Madeline, and a son, George. In 2006, Zakarian published his first recipe book. He serves as the chairman of the City Harvest Food Council, a food rescue organization focused on combating hunger in New York City. Zakarian also has a line of kitchen products and food products.
