GEOFFREY ZAKARIAN Follow YOUR PASSIONS

The chef and TV star shares thoughts on career, family, and a tip for home cooks

- Katie Bruno

Chef and TV personality Geoffrey Zakarian had just finished earning a degree in economics when a journey abroad changed his life forever. “A career as a chef found me on a trip to France," Geoffrey tells Closer. “I fell in love with their culture of fine dining, and after that my new trajectory as a chef and restaurateur was undeniable."

Before he became known to television viewers, Geoffrey, 62, honed his skills in New York's fine dining scene. He is currently the chef/owner of the Lambs Club and the National in Manhattan. On television, he's been a frequent judge on Chopped, battled it out in Iron Chef's Kitchen Stadium, and is a co-host of The Kitchen. Geoffrey's latest competition series, Big Restaurant Bet, premieres on Food Network on April 5 at 10 p.m.

If you hadn't become a chef, what do you think you would have done?

I would have tried to become a professional golfer. I'm a real golf junkie.

How did your 30 years in restaurants prepare you for becoming a television food expert?

I don't know that it did directly. But I guess it can be said that as a chef and as a TV personality, you are in the business of entertaining people. Both are about engaging your audience.

Do you ever miss working in a kitchen full time?

Well, I'm always cooking, so I don't miss being in the kitchen. But I do miss the buzz I get from having a busy service. Chefs love that!

Your heritage is Armenian and Polish. Did your family hand down any treasured recipes to you?