Wednesday, June 13, 2007

A Reality Check With ... Gail Simmons (Bravo's "Top Chef")

Tonight's supersized premiere of Bravo's Top Chef 3 (10:00-11:15pm EST) brings back our favorite judges as well as a new face. We spoke to Ted Allen (from Bravo's "Queer Eye") last week about being the newest judge. Now, one of our familiar faces, Gail Simmons, sits down with RealityCheckByGina to dish on the newest season of Bravo's hit show.

RC: When did your interest in food begin?
Gail: My mother was a cooking teacher & a food writer. I spent a lot of time in the kitchen when I was younger & it was something I was passionate about. It never occurred to me that I could have a career in this. I never really thought I could do this for a living. When I was in college, I started writing restaurant reviews for my school paper. I thought to myself, “There’s something fun here!”

RC: How does someone go from just having an interest in food to being an expert in the field?
Gail: You do a lot of eating! That’s what you do! That’s the God’s honest truth. I love food, I love the industry of food, I love chefs, I love the history. My degree in college was anthropology. I read every cookbook & piece of food journalism I could find. When I finally decided this is what I wanted to do, I went to my editor at the magazine I interned for & I said, “How do I do this?” He said, “If you want to be a good journalist, you need to go out & learn your subject. If you want to be a war reporter, you have to go to the front lines”. I picked up & went to New York. I went to culinary school & went on the front lines, so to speak.

RC: You oversee the Food & Wine Magazine Classic in Aspen. What does the event entail?
Gail: Well, I’m actually calling you from Aspen & the event kicks off tomorrow. It’s the premiere culinary festival in America. It’s our 25th anniversary but let me assure you, I haven’t been working on it for 25 years. We bring with us the most extraordinary culinary superpowers from across the country & overseas as well. We have the most die hard culinary fans there as well. It’s 3 days of seminars, demonstrations, wine parties – the most amazing wines from around the world! It’s a chance for everyone in the industry to get together & play!

RC: How did you first become involved in Top Chef? Had you been approached previously about being on a tv show?
Gail: It’s my first one – I’ve done a lot of television for Food & Wine Magazine. When Bravo was looking to do a culinary show of this nature, they wanted to work with a magazine partner that they could learn from. They came to us because Food & Wine because it’s the #1 magazine in advertising & the leader in the epicurean category. We’re big in discovering talent, finding the new, young stars. It worked out perfectly.

RC: Do you have a favorite previous contestant of Top Chef?
Gail: It’s so tough, once the season is over & we can look back, we can really be proud of them. Harold, our season 1 winner, just opened his restaurant in New York. It’s a beautiful, small restaurant in the West Village and very fortunately, it’s right near my house. He’s doing exactly what I hoped he would do. Ilan, the season 2 winner, is actually coming to Aspen for the weekend. It was part of his prize to be part of the Food & Wine Magazine Classic. He’s a really young, eager passionate chef.

RC: What can we look forward to this season in Miami?
Gail: The fact that it’s in Miami is pretty hot. It’s a really sexy town. There’s a lot of good food – obviously seafood is so extraordinary there. What’s really exciting is the guest talent on the show keeps getting better & better and I get to sit besides my own idols & work alongside them. The talent & quality of the contestants are amazing – they are the most driven, hilarious, passionate people from all across the country.

RC: Ted Allen mentioned some standout chefs from this season we should keep our eyes on. Do you have any early favorites?
Gail: I have to say, the women this year were super awesome! I know from being on the other side of the table (I was a cook, too) it was the toughest job. There are certain challenges that affect women more than men. I was so impressed with the women on the show. There are a few really amazing standout women – Casey from Dallas, Lia from NY, all of them! I was really impressed with them all!

RC: Do you have any other projects in the works or do the show & the magazine keep you busy enough?
Gail: It keeps me busy enough! I’m doing as much as I can. I’m working on a lot of projects with Food & Wine that are really exciting. I play a big role in everything from organizing events to appearing at them to working on the magazine & working with the biggest chefs. I’m living my dream!


Season 3 of Bravo's Top Chef kicks off tonight at 10pm EST

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

This was a great interview Gina! I love Top Chef! Plus now I finally know the deal with Gail Simmons LOL

Anonymous said...

Online Casino Bonus tyuueooru
Online Casino Bonus
000 free with your first 20 deposits!
The risks arriving with the gambling has decreased to a great extent after the arrival of free online casino.
[url=http://www.nhgaa.org/]Free Online Casino[/url]

No matter it's an absolutely free online casino or real money requiring online gambling, the true gambling pleasure can only be expected if the website you choose to enter is good enough to offer you exactly what you're looking for.
http://www.nhgaa.org/ - Free Casino Game
For this purpose, you may require checking out the lists of good gambling websites that are offered on various sites in the form of ratings, reviews, etc.

Anonymous said...

Online Casino Game tyuueooru
http://stonewalljacksoncarnival.org/ - Casino Game Download
All you need to is a well operating computer and an Internet connection and you?re done with your gambling.
[url=http://stonewalljacksoncarnival.org/]Play Casino[/url]
You can enjoy online casino simply by getting connected to the Internet.
Casino Money
This is obvious as people can start online casino without having to make as higher investment as required to get started with land-based casino.

Anonymous said...

jasmine pearls tea [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/lotrisone.htm]lotrisone[/url] blood background http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/hypnotherapie.htm mary lou i love you cross my heart yes i do http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/entocort.htm
painted lady tea room [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/speman.htm]speman[/url] what causes blood in the phelgm [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/confido.htm]what can a breast mri determine[/url]

Anonymous said...

mudd brand shoes http://topcitystyle.com/grey-black-color238.html poetry womens clothes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/gucci-women-s-tops-brand12.html]hip baby clothes[/url] volatile shoes
http://topcitystyle.com/?action=products&product_id=2536 data system designers library [url=http://topcitystyle.com/shirts-men-category1.html]ralph lauren pain[/url]

Anonymous said...

preventing crepe soled shoes from squeaking http://topcitystyle.com/orange-tank-tops-color121.html sexy clothes for women [url=http://topcitystyle.com/denim-blue-jeans-color7.html]cool baby clothes[/url] saint laurence university ny
http://topcitystyle.com/-club-wear-category69.html grazia shoes wedding [url=http://topcitystyle.com/?action=products&product_id=2275]mens comfort shoes[/url]

Anonymous said...

april vegas travel deals from nashville http://adventurecollection.in/expedia/barcelona-card-expedia coupon codes staples travel set
[url=http://adventurecollection.in/tours/walking-tours-in-europe]veneto travel itineraries[/url] travel mate viii dv recorder and player open box [url=http://adventurecollection.in/adventure/the-adventure-of-the-periodic-table]the adventure of the periodic table[/url]
travel medicine cold storage http://adventurecollection.in/disneyland/disneyland-tencennial
[url=http://adventurecollection.in/motel/kansan-motel-coupons]trailer travel in the south east[/url] travel holiday tre rose [url=http://adventurecollection.in/adventure/multiplayer-online-adventure]multiplayer online adventure[/url]
travel forums costa rica http://adventurecollection.in/airlines/united-airlines-flight-informatio travel insurance medical [url=http://adventurecollection.in/tours/tours-for-auschwitz-museum]tours for auschwitz museum[/url]

Anonymous said...

kings porn http://theporncollection.in/gay-male/underage-gay-boys-porn
[url=http://theporncollection.in/porn-girl/free-mature-porn-shemp]life like strap on dildo[/url] adult neighbors in amateur sexual films [url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-video/paul-newman-gay]paul newman gay[/url]
sexy club layouts http://theporncollection.in/lubricant/resorts-couples-incision-leave-lubricant-recommend
[url=http://theporncollection.in/incest/incest-stories-with-pics]tucson active adult retirement communities[/url] online anime hentai [url=http://theporncollection.in/porn-girl/free-granny-porn-movie-galleries]free granny porn movie galleries[/url]
k10ish porn http://theporncollection.in/gay-love/gay-dvd-on-sexual-saline-sacral-infusion
[url=http://theporncollection.in/lesbian-porn/beauty-lesbian-only-download-free-video]fun hentai sex games[/url] woman dildo [url=http://theporncollection.in/orgy/gay-strait-orgy]gay strait orgy[/url]
dixon and antifreeze air tool lubricant and msds http://theporncollection.in/gay-sex/first-time-sex-and-erotic-stories-and-gay-males
[url=http://theporncollection.in/hentai-sex/hte-boundry-between-dream-and-reality-hentai]free hentai without downloading[/url] skinny anal sluts [url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-video/pat-patterson-gay]pat patterson gay[/url]

Anonymous said...

brad kleinman http://www.thefashionhouse.us/black-multicolored-pullover-color20.html bostonian shoes [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/purple-yellow-on-sale-color199.html]designer kitchens[/url] j m kleinman
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/?action=products&product_id=2002 designer outlet york [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/red-classic-color8.html]calvin klein comforters[/url]

Anonymous said...

conklin fashionns http://luxefashion.us/red-sweaters-color8.html addidas golf shoes [url=http://luxefashion.us/-jeans-cut-pants-armani-category27.html]who makes editions clothes[/url] vinegar rinsing clothes
http://luxefashion.us/dolce-amp-gabbana-boxe-long-sleeve-top-black-item1095.html nude fashion models [url=http://luxefashion.us/purple-yellow-color199.html]women clothes wrestling[/url]

Anonymous said...

mulvane casino vote http://xwn.in/gambling-online_gambling-city wp10 lottery game
[url=http://xwn.in/lottery_lottery-formula]lottery numbers ohio friday november 16[/url] rogue river lottery [url=http://xwn.in/online-casinos_station-casinos-in-las-vegas]station casinos in las vegas[/url]
gambling and statistics http://xwn.in/online-casino_casino-cowlitz-county-non-profit-sites
[url=http://xwn.in/slots_fallsview-casino-slots]global lottery collectors society[/url] clam casino pizza [url=http://xwn.in/gambling-online_gambling-in-professional-sports]gambling in professional sports[/url]
riverboat casinos http://xwn.in/keno_spd-keno california lottery subscription [url=http://xwn.in/jackpot_jackpot-junction-mn-overnight-bus-trip-deals]jackpot junction mn overnight bus trip deals[/url]

Anonymous said...

usa auto exporter http://pqx.in/bentley/bentley/varghese miramichi volkswagen owner
[url=http://pqx.in/aprilia/aprilia/dealer/ma]wood brothers racing[/url] automobile paint touch up instructions [url=http://pqx.in/lotus/lotus/notes/smiley]lotus notes smiley[/url]
south sound auto http://pqx.in/hyundai/hyundai/azera/review
[url=http://pqx.in/infiniti/car/audio/1995/infiniti/j30/repair]pep boys auto homepage[/url] volkswagen turbo diesel pump tuning [url=http://pqx.in/lotus/lotus/drawing]lotus drawing[/url]
how to install car stereo in a 2002 dodge carvan http://pqx.in/aprilia/aprilia/rs/125/fiche/technique
[url=http://pqx.in/citroen/kayak/citroen/rapid]c class mercedes 2008[/url] auto one shop australia [url=http://pqx.in/jeeps/jeep/forum/sway/bar/disconnect]jeep forum sway bar disconnect[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://xpv.in/amoxicillin/amoxicillin-directions-for-use
[url=http://xpv.in/ramipril/ramipril-pills]pharmaceutical profiling in drug discovery for lead sel[/url] drug for treating burning sensation in feet [url=http://xpv.in/doxazosin/doxazosin-pills]doxazosin pills[/url]
drug users in canadian prisons http://xpv.in/cialis/cialis-comparrison
[url=http://xpv.in/pyridium/cetyl-pyridium]glen ellyn pharmacy[/url] laws for drugs and cosmetics [url=http://xpv.in/ramipril/ramipril-hexal]ramipril hexal[/url]
terbinafine drugs http://xpv.in/cetirizine/cetirizine-biogaran
[url=http://xpv.in/amitriptyline/amitriptyline-blood-pressure]drug disease and cloning[/url] supreme court cases drugs in home [url=http://xpv.in/amiodarone/amiodarone-and-levofloxacin-drug-interaction]amiodarone and levofloxacin drug interaction[/url] does the drug stores in canada have drug test available [url=http://xpv.in/anacin/anacin]anacin[/url]

Anonymous said...

troy ohio movie theaters [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_knights_of_bloodsteel/]knights of bloodsteel[/url] movie couples http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_mulligans/ scarlett johansson shirt ripped off movie
movie bears [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_women_s_murder_club/]women s murder club[/url] stardust movie download http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_woman_in_black/ one free big movie
he said she said movie soundtrack [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_children_of_the_damned/]children of the damned[/url] free latina porn movie
movie review and stardust [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_coyote_ugly/]coyote ugly[/url] taxi driver movie archive http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_cinderella/ movie listings huntsville al
tinker bell movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_7pm_project/]the 7pm project[/url] barocca movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_like_mike/ glory civil war movie

Anonymous said...

classical music denver [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-santos-suarez-173213-1/]Santos Suarez[/url] saturday night fever music http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-subtitles-27-1/ skow dowb music
head music [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-sharpshooter-54924-1/]Sharpshooter[/url] the smiths alternative music http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-milo-13-1/ trey songz wonde woman music song lyrics
the best free music downloads [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-steve-k-featuring-udo-johnsen-129688-1/]Steve K featuring Udo Johnsen[/url] freeware clasic music
download 60s music [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-bjork-bachelorette-180879-1/]Bjork-Bachelorette[/url] basil valdez music http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-ola-jagun-n-his-ancestral-rhythms-4-1/ music bunny
san francisco music workshop winter 2008 [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-o-fortuna-82107-1/]O Fortuna[/url] alicia keys music lyrics http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-solid-steel-21-1/ night songs music

Google