A Zakarian Holiday: Timeless Traditions, Elegant Entertaining, and Memorable Meals
The holidays are a time for gathering, celebrating, and indulging in the simple joys of life—good food, cherished traditions, and the company of loved ones. For the Zakarian family, renowned Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian and his daughter Madeline, the holiday season is a magical blend of tradition and innovation. From the aroma of pine-scented candles mingling with roasting lamb to the clinking of glasses over a beautifully curated charcuterie board, the Zakarians have mastered the art of making every holiday moment special.
In this exclusive interview, Geoffrey and Madeline invite us into their festive world, sharing their favorite family traditions, holiday hosting tips, and recipes that bring their celebrations to life. Whether you're planning a cozy Christmas dinner or a chic New Year’s Eve party, their insights offer a perfect mix of inspiration and practicality to elevate your holiday entertaining.
Holiday Magic in the Kitchen
As a family who has spent countless hours cooking together, how does the holiday season influence your time in the kitchen? Do you have any special rituals or recipes that define your celebrations?
Madeline Zakarian: We definitely spend more time in the kitchen during the holidays. For Thanksgiving and Christmas, we do a lot of mise en place. My dad taught us from a young age to start prepping ingredients early—he’ll begin cooking about a week in advance for Thanksgiving. He starts with things like grocery shopping, chopping ingredients, and organizing everything, so when the day comes, we’re ready to go.
Geoffrey Zakarian: The holidays are special because they bring everyone together, and that makes the process even more meaningful. For me, the fun is in the work—the anticipation, the planning, the prepping. It’s a tradition in itself. It’s not just about the event but about everything that leads up to it. You’re in the kitchen with family, and there’s this energy as everyone works together to prepare something special. Sure, it’s a lot of work, but it’s also the best part—it’s where the memories are made.
Memorable Family Traditions
Over the years, have you created any cherished family holiday traditions that you look forward to every Christmas or New Year’s Eve?
Madeline Zakarian: We have a few traditions that we look forward to every year. On Christmas Eve, we always have a big pizza night. We make everything homemade—different kinds of pizzas with toppings that everyone loves. It’s a fun, relaxed way to enjoy the night before the big holiday meal.
Being Lebanese, another tradition we have is making scrambled eggs with pine nuts, lamb, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper, served with pita bread. It’s something we love to do around the holidays, and it feels special every time.
We also do Secret Santa every year. We always have fun with it—joking and pranking each other, pretending we got someone else. It’s such a fun way to bring laughter and lightheartedness to the day.
The Ultimate Holiday Party
For this year’s holiday season, what are your best tips for hosting an unforgettable Christmas dinner or New Year’s Eve party? Are there any recipes or themes you’re particularly excited about this year?
Madeline Zakarian: For holiday gatherings, I think it’s really important to keep things simple but elegant. For example, on Christmas morning, we’ll set up a tray with oatmeal or yogurt parfaits and toppings, so everyone can create their own breakfast. It’s interactive, festive, and takes the pressure off the host to do everything.
Geoffrey Zakarian: My advice is to focus on quality over quantity. The holidays can feel overwhelming if you try to do too much, so simplify where you can. Seasonal ingredients and simple dishes done really well make all the difference.
Creating Togetherness Through Food
How do you recommend using food to bring family and friends together during the holidays? Are there any interactive dishes, like build-your-own platters or desserts, that work well for entertaining?
Madeline Zakarian: Interactive dishes are a wonderful way to bring people together. Charcuterie boards and small bites are a Zakarian family favorite for creating that inviting and social atmosphere. Everyone gathers around the kitchen, snacking while we’re still cooking.
For breakfast on Christmas morning, we set up a tray with oatmeal or yogurt parfaits and let everyone customize their own bowls. It’s a great way to get the day started and keeps everyone involved.
Geoffrey Zakarian: The key to the perfect charcuterie board is focusing on quality over quantity. Instead of overloading the board with “something for everyone,” we carefully select high-quality cheeses, artisanal meats, and a few accompaniments like olives or nuts. This allows each ingredient to shine while creating a beautiful centerpiece that encourages guests to gather, snack, and connect.
Homemade pizza is another interactive option we love. Everyone gets involved in deciding on toppings, and it’s such a fun way to gather in the kitchen. The beauty of interactive meals is that they encourage participation and conversation, which is really what the holidays are all about.
A Zakarian Christmas
What does a typical Christmas Day look like in your home? Are there any recipes from The Family That Cooks Together that make an annual appearance on your holiday table?
Madeline Zakarian: A typical Christmas Day for us starts with a more casual breakfast—something interactive like parfaits or oatmeal. Then we move into preparing for a fancier dinner, which we usually have in the evening.
Our Christmas dinners are always special, with about 11 or 12 people at the table. The days leading up to it are filled with preparation, music, and the amazing smells of food filling the house. It’s a magical time, and that anticipation makes the holiday so memorable.
New Year’s Eve Elegance
Many people celebrate the end of the year with cocktails and small bites. What are your favorite recipes or tips for creating a sophisticated yet approachable New Year’s Eve menu?
Geoffrey Zakarian: New Year’s Eve is a tricky holiday. There’s often a lot of pressure to make it this big, perfect night, which can feel overwhelming. My advice? Keep it simple. Go out to a nice dinner with close friends or host a small gathering at home.
If you’re hosting, focus on a high-quality meal instead of trying to serve too much. Seasonal dishes like hearty soups or roasted vegetables work really well for this time of year. And for drinks, stick to one or two signature cocktails instead of an open bar—it’s more manageable and creates a festive atmosphere without the chaos.
Madeline Zakarian: For us, we focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. In the winter, we lean into flavors like butternut squash, hearty soups, and roasted vegetables. It’s about creating a cozy, welcoming vibe without overcomplicating things.
Traditions, Old and New
How do you balance honoring long-standing family traditions while also incorporating new ideas or recipes to keep the holidays fresh and exciting?
Madeline Zakarian: We try to balance traditions with seasonal ingredients. For example, in winter, we’ll use heartier flavors like squash or soups, while in summer, we might go for something lighter and fresher. It’s about composing meals that feel cohesive and special without being too thematic or forced.
Stress-Free Hosting
For those juggling a busy holiday season, what are your top three tips for hosting a successful and stress-free gathering?
Madeline Zakarian: The best way to reduce stress is to prepare everything in advance. We create "kits" for each recipe—everything is cut, prepped, and labeled on sheet trays a few days ahead. That way, when the day comes, everything is ready to go, and you’re not scrambling in the kitchen.
Geoffrey Zakarian: Organization is key. If you’re not prepped ahead of time, you’ll be stressed and overwhelmed. The goal is to work smarter, not harder, so you can enjoy the time with your guests.
Festive Drinks for the Season
What are your go-to drink recipes for Christmas and New Year’s Eve? Do you have a family favorite, whether it’s a warm, comforting drink or a sparkling party punch?
Geoffrey Zakarian: Let the food and atmosphere be the stars of the show. We like to offer a signature cocktail, a flute of champaign or a sparkling punch. I don't recommend an open bar for holiday gatherings. You can provide delightful beverage options for everyone that complement the dining experience without overshadowing it.
A Sweet Finish to the Year
Desserts are a holiday favorite. Which sweets from your cookbook or personal repertoire make the perfect ending to a holiday feast or midnight celebration?
Madeline Zakarian: We love making pavlova or meringues around the holidays. They’re elegant, festive, and surprisingly simple to make. You can even play around with the colors to make them more fun. We also enjoy making olive oil cakes or brownies for a more casual dessert.
Geoffrey Zakarian: Don’t be afraid to buy a beautiful dessert from a local bakery. Supporting a great pastry shop is a wonderful way to end the evening, and it takes the pressure off you to bake something elaborate.
Holiday Tips from the Zakarian Family to Yours
These thoughtful tips from the Zakarian family remind us to embrace the essence of the holidays—connection, creativity, and a little bit of culinary magic. Whether it’s the preparation, the meals, or the memories being made, each moment is an opportunity to celebrate together.
Make the Days Leading Up to Christmas Magical:
For the Zakarian family, the real magic of the holidays happens in the days leading up to Christmas. “The smells of food, the Christmas music, and the time spent together in the kitchen make the holiday feel magical every year,” says Madeline Zakarian. Take a cue from their tradition by turning holiday prep into a celebration of its own. Play your favorite festive playlist, involve the whole family in the cooking process, and savor the moments of togetherness before the big day arrives.
Host for All Ages with Interactive Dishes
Creating a holiday gathering that’s fun for both kids and adults can be as simple as offering interactive dishes. Madeline recommends dishes like yogurt parfait or oatmeal bars for breakfast or a build-your-own pizza night for dinner. “They keep everyone engaged and make the experience more interactive and fun,” she says. These hands-on meals not only delight guests of all ages but also take the pressure off the host by encouraging everyone to get involved.
Focus on Meaningful and Stress-Free Celebrations
As families grow and evolve, so do traditions. Geoffrey Zakarian believes in keeping things simple yet special. “I hope to continue focusing on quality over quantity and creating meaningful, stress-free celebrations that bring everyone together,” he shares. Prioritize dishes and activities that foster connection, and let go of the pressure to create a Pinterest-perfect event. The holidays are about the moments you share, not the perfection of the presentation.
As the Zakarians remind us, the holidays are not about perfection but about connection. Whether through a perfectly crisp homemade pizza on Christmas Eve or a heartfelt toast over sparkling punch on New Year’s Eve, their celebrations center on togetherness and joy.
Take a page from their book this holiday season: plan ahead, simplify where you can, and savor the moments that matter most. As Geoffrey so aptly puts it, “The fun is in the work—and the work is what makes it fun.”