Born just outside Philadelphia, Geoff grew up in Modesto, California. An early love for dining at restaurants, selecting produce with his Grandfather, and cooking through cookbooks fostered his passion for food. He has fond memories of spending time and sharing meals with his grandparents, especially after they moved to California. 

He enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. After graduating, he worked in a handful of Bay Area Michelin-starred restaurants such as Aqua, The Fifth Floor, and Cyrus. After a brief stint in wine and in Napa, Geoff relocated to Oakland where he worked at Haven and later The Dock, alongside James Syhabout. Geoff went on to join the opening team at True Laurel as Executive Chef. 

But, the seeds had been planted for his own vision. In 2022, Geoff embarked on a new journey called Burdell, which began as a series of pop-ups centered on local produce and the Soul Food he remembered from his grandparents' table.