A Michelin-starred and Emmy-nominated chef is bringing his culinary expertise to St. Petersburg.
Geoffrey Zakarian, widely known for starring in Iron Chef America, Chopped and The Kitchen on The Food Network, will helm the newly named Central Hotel’s flagship restaurant. The 168-key Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel is part of The Central, an under-construction mixed-use development in St. Petersburg’s EDGE District.
Zakarian will also oversee all food, beverage and hospitality operations at Halcyon, the development’s “trophy” office tower. Those include services at its planned rooftop pool bar, jazz lounge, banquets, catering and curated culinary experiences for hotel guests and office tenants.
“St. Petersburg is a city brimming with energy and creativity, and we are thrilled to create a dining experience that captures that spirit,” Zakarian said in a prepared statement. “We look forward to building something world-class that both the community and visitors will love.”
Zakarian added that The Central is “unlike any development I’ve seen.” The public parking garage’s rooftop garden will feature a 76-million-year-old Gorgosaurus skeleton.
Tampa-based Ellison Development, the project’s developer, said Zakarian’s restaurant will seat over 200 people. CEO Casey Ellison called the internationally known chef and TV personality’s involvement a “defining moment for The Central’s vision.”
“Everything at The Central is rooted in quality, from the design to the experiences we’re creating,” Ellison added. “Bringing in Geoffrey Zakarian for his first new restaurant in nearly a decade is a perfect example of that commitment.
“His decision to come to St. Pete validates our belief that people are seeking out places and projects defined by excellence, and The Central is setting that standard.”
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Zakarian’s only restaurant worldwide will sit adjacent to Central Hotel’s lobby. The Halcyon directly connects to the facility, and its tenants can seamlessly access on-demand meeting and conference spaces enhanced by a comprehensive hospitality program.
The “Iron Chef” specializes in modern American cuisine and has led some of the nation’s top kitchens for over 25 years. Zakarian earned a Michelin Star at his former restaurant, Country, which opened in Manhattan’s Carlton Hotel in 2005.
He became a regular on The Food Network in 2009, earning the title of Iron Chef in 2011. Zakarian now lives in the area and recently partnered with Tampa General Hospital, where he serves as culinary director.
“Chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s decision to launch his next concept here elevates St. Pete’s growing reputation as a premier food destination and underscores our city as a place where innovation and excellence thrive,” said Mayor Ken Welch. “This restaurant at The Central will be a remarkable addition that reflects our city’s momentum for both residents and visitors alike.”
According to Ellison Development, Marriott “hand-selected” the Central Hotel to join its Autograph Collection brand. The facility will reflect the EDGE District’s “energy and story.”
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club is currently St. Petersburg’s lone Autograph Collection property. Fenway Hotel in Dunedin, The CURRENT and Epicurean Hotels in Tampa, Waterline Villas & Marina in Holmes Beach and the Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota also operate under the brand.
Central Hotel will feature an elevated private dining room above the lobby for intimate events programmed by Zakarian. The mezzanine level will also include a Listening Lounge with live jazz, piano or pop-up DJ sets.
A third-floor ballroom with a dedicated bar and lounge can accommodate 125 guests. The hotel will also feature a two-story theater with velvet curtains and ideal acoustics for performances, presentations and corporate events.
A rooftop ballroom on the 15th floor will provide up to 150 guests with 270-degree views of downtown St. Petersburg and the waterfront. Ellison expects construction on Central Hotel to begin in early 2026.
“We look forward to building something world-class that both the community and visitors will love,” Zakarian said.
This content provided in partnership with StPeteCatalyst.com
