Zakarian learns from ups, downs.

• Author: Kennedy, Kelli
• Position: Living

Byline: Kelli Kennedy

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- Geoffrey Zakarian knows the odds. He knows all too well that the chances of succeeding in the restaurant world are so remote as to be almost comical.

Of course, the Food Network star and much-lauded chef also has beaten those odds. Multiple times. But he says his losses have built him as much as his victories. "You cannot enter this business without having those (failures),'' he said Friday during an interview at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. "It's not possible to not get beaten up a bit, and I think it adds to you.''

Zakarian, a Worcester native, got his start working for some of the industry's top names, and later helped revolutionize the notion of chic hotel restaurants. But there were failures, too, including a bankruptcy and a short-lived food program for the Gap and Old Navy. "You open 10 restaurants and three might not work. That's just the way it is,'' he said.

These days, he has several restaurants, including The Lambs Club...