Big Spring Herald BY GEORGE DICKIE

Zakarian makes his ‘Big Restaurant Bet’

in Food Net series

Anyone considering opening a restaurant will get a ” he continues. “There’s people that are fives and sixes soup-to-nuts primer on it from Geoffrey Zakarian in a and are stunningly good, they’re just not ready . ... But competition series currently airing on Food Network. you’re never really ready. Like you’re never really ready

On “Big Restaurant Bet,” airing Tuesdays (and also to have a baby, right? Then you have a baby and like streaming on discovery+), the renowned chef and all of a sudden nature kicks in and you start doing stuff restaurateur presents eight talented chefs with the and it works. So there are similarities there but there is opportunity to take the next step in their culinary career no such thing as a perfectly ready person. I mean, I’m and open their own restaurant. not perfectly ready and I’ve been doing it for 40 years.”

But first they have to prove that their idea is worth While the chefs will try to impress Zakarian, his wife his investment and resources. So in addition to and business partner Margaret Zakarian and chef Eric demonstrating their culinary chops, they also have to

Haugen with their culinary creations, Zakarian will quiz sell Zakarian on their vision, their business sense and

them about their business acumen. So knowledge in themselves and convince him that they are the right fit

areas such as marketing, budgeting, menu creation and for him and his restaurant group. The winner gets his

managing people is advantageous.

$250,000 investment to get things going.

“It’s almost like ‘Iron Chef’ Meets ‘The Prophet,’ And while there is no such thing as the perfect ” Zakarian explains, “whereby you want to have a candidate, Zakarian will take someone on if he sees profitable restaurant and you’re really talented but you certain qualities in them. just can’t get out of your own way, you don’t have the “We can work with a B-minus with a great attitude skill set. You have the tenacity and the passion but you and an amazing passion,” he says. “If you don’t have don’t have the skill set.” passion and great attitude, I don’t care if you’re an

“So (on a scale of one to 10), we’ll pick someone A-plus, there’s not going to be a chance that we’re going who’s like ... a seven or an eight to bring them to a 10,’ to work with you.”