Top Chef S21 Gail Simmons

Gail Simmons

Gail Simmons is a trained culinary expert, food writer and dynamic television personality. Since the show’s inception in 2006, she has lent her expertise as the perennial judge on Bravo’ Emmy, James Beard and Critics’ Choice Award-winning series “Top Chef,” which is now entering its 21st season. She also serves as an executive producer.

 In 2022, Simmons was seen as co-host of “The Good Dish,” the daily syndicated series offering delicious recipes, real-life wisdom and conversations on the topics of the day, and was formerly host of “Top Chef Amateurs” as well as “Iron Chef Canada.” From 2004-19, Simmons served as special projects director at Food & Wine magazine. 

Simmons’ first cookbook, “Bringing It Home: Favorite Recipes from a Life of Adventurous Eating,” was released by Grand Central Publishing in 2017. Nominated for an IACP Award for Best General Cookbook, it features recipes inspired by her world travels — all made with accessible ingredients and with smart, simple techniques for successful family meals and easy entertaining. Simmons’ first book, the memoir “Talking with My Mouth Full,” was published by Hyperion in 2012. 

Simmons frequently appears on daytime television shows such as “Today,” “Rachael Ray” and “The Talk,” and was named the #1 Reality TV Judge in America by the New York Post. 

She is the co-founder of Bumble Pie Productions and the newest Global Ambassador for Children in Conflict, an international organization committed to protecting, educating and providing critical aid for the world’s most vulnerable children affected by war. Simmons sits on the board of several other nonprofit organizations and philanthropic endeavors, including City Harvest and Hot Bread Kitchen. She currently lives in New York with her husband, Jeremy, and their two children, Dahlia and Kole.