Gail Simmons is a trained culinary expert, food writer, and dynamic television personality. Born and raised in Toronto, Ont., Gail moved to New York City in 1999 to attend culinary school at the Institute of Culinary Education. Gail has lent her expertise as a permanent judge on Bravo's Emmy-winning series Top Chef and was named the #1 Reality TV Judge in America by the New York Post. Gail's first book, a memoir titled Talking With My Mouth Full, was published in 2012. Her first cookbook, Bringing It Home: Favorite Recipes from a Life of Adventurous Eating, was released in 2017 and was nominated for an IACP award for "Best General Cookbook." Gail writes a monthly column for Food & Wine magazine and works closely with the country's top culinary talent on events and initiatives. In 2016, she received the Award of Excellence by Spoons Across America, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating children about the benefits of healthy eating. She is an active board member and supporter of City Harvest, Hot Bread Kitchen, Common Threads, and the Institute of Culinary Education.
Known For
Credits
Cast Credits
Live with Kelly and Mark (2023)
Guest starring as Chef
- Episode 2x140: Live's Cooking School III (Mar 21, 2024)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019)
Guest starring as Gail Simmons
- Episode 5x98: Finn Wolfhard, Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, Kristen Kish, Aoife O'Donovan, Steve Schirripa (Mar 19, 2024)
Today with Hoda & Jenna (2019)
Guest starring as Gail Simmons
(2 episodes)
- Episode 3x138: Gail Simmons, Roma Downey, Justine Bateman (Apr 1, 2021)
- Episode 3x17: Shayla Rivera, Gail Simmons (Oct 13, 2020)
The Feed (2014)
Starring as Host
(8 episodes)
- Episode 1x06: Space Race & The Rural Taste (Sep 18, 2014)
- Episode 1x05: Artisanal Tour & The Hangover Cure (Sep 11, 2014)
- Episode 1x04: Food with Feelings & Smalltime Dealings (Sep 4, 2014)
- Episode 1x03: Food for a Fight & Food that Delights (Aug 28, 2014)
- Episode 1x02: Mashed Up Dishes & Food Design Wishes (Aug 21, 2014)
- Episode 1x01: Ghostly Meals & Food with Wheels (Aug 21, 2014)
- Episode S01 Special: Ultimate Holiday Feast (Dec 11, 2014)
- Episode S01 Special: Thanksgiving Unstuffed (Nov 20, 2014)
Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen (2011)
Guest starring as Judge
(2 episodes)
- Episode 12x11: Last Chance Kitchen Finale: Part 2 (May 18, 2023)
- Episode 12x02: Welsh Toast Twist (Mar 23, 2023)
Top Chef Canada (2011)
Guest starring as Judge
- Episode 1x12: Chef McEwan's Favourite Things (Jun 27, 2011)
Watch What Happens Live (2009)
Guest starring as Gail Simmons
(8 episodes)
- Episode 21x92: Gail Simmons, Tom Colicchio, Kristen Kish (May 22, 2024)
- Episode 20x72: Gail Simmons, Tom Colicchio (Apr 20, 2023)
- Episode 18x114: Top Chef: Gail, Padma, & Tom (Jul 1, 2021)
- Episode 17x49: Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio & Gail Simmons (Mar 19, 2020)
- Episode 14x37: Gail Simmons, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Feb 23, 2017)
- Episode 10x89: Gail Simmons & Curtis Stone (Nov 13, 2013)
- Episode 8x47: Gail Simmons & Peter Facinelli (Nov 14, 2012)
- Episode 6x14: Gail Simmons & Fabio Viviani (Jan 25, 2012)
Rachael Ray (2006)
Guest starring as Gail Simmons
(4 episodes)
- Episode 17x111: Fun Party Ideas—Including Sheet Pan Quesadillas & Nachos + Colorful Décor DIYs (Mar 20, 2023)
- Episode 14x48: Thanksgiving Is Coming Up and 'Top Chef's' Gail Simmons Is Throwing Down (Nov 13, 2019)
- Episode 14x09: Rach's design buddies Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent (Sep 19, 2019)
- Episode 13x94: Donnie Wahlberg is hanging with Rach today (Feb 14, 2019)
Top Chef (2006)
Starring as Judge
(241 episodes)
- Episode 21x12: Goodbye Wisconsin (Jun 5, 2024)
- Episode 21x11: Lay It All on the Table (May 29, 2024)
- Episode 21x10: Door County Fish Boil (May 22, 2024)
- Episode 21x08: Restaurant Wars (May 8, 2024)
- Episode 21x07: Sausage Race (May 1, 2024)
- Episode 21x06: Chaos Cuisine (Apr 24, 2024)
- Episode 21x05: Supper Club (Apr 17, 2024)
- Episode 21x04: The Wright Way (Apr 10, 2024)
- Episode 21x03: Take It Cheesy (Apr 3, 2024)
- Episode 21x02: Living the High Life (Mar 27, 2024)
- Episode 21x01: Chef's Test (Mar 20, 2024)
- Episode 20x14: Fin. (Jun 8, 2023)
- Episode 20x13: Champions in Paris (Jun 1, 2023)
- Episode 20x12: Goodbye, London! (May 25, 2023)
- Episode 20x11: Battle of the Wellingtons (May 18, 2023)
- Episode 20x10: Thali Time (May 11, 2023)
- Episode 20x09: Restaurant Wars (May 4, 2023)
- Episode 20x08: Street Food Fight (Apr 27, 2023)
- Episode 20x07: Hands Off (Apr 20, 2023)
- Episode 20x06: Top Chef Is No Picnic (Apr 13, 2023)
- Episode 20x05: Holiday Vacation (Apr 6, 2023)
- Episode 20x04: Spurred Lines (Mar 30, 2023)
- Episode 20x03: Cheeky Pints and Pub Bites (Mar 23, 2023)
- Episode 20x02: Rice, Rice Baby (Mar 16, 2023)
- Episode 20x01: London Calling (Mar 9, 2023)
- Episode 14x14: Comida Final (Mar 2, 2017)
- Episode 14x13: Trial by Fire (Feb 23, 2017)
- Episode 14x12: Cooking Away in Margaritaville (Feb 16, 2017)
- Episode 14x11: Adiós Charleston, Hello James Beard (Feb 9, 2017)
- Episode 14x10: Shrimp Boats and Hat Ladies (Feb 2, 2017)
- Episode 14x09: For the Kids (Jan 26, 2017)
- Episode 14x08: Restaurant Wars (Jan 19, 2017)
- Episode 14x07: Booty (Jan 12, 2017)
- Episode 14x06: A Southern Legend (Jan 5, 2017)
- Episode 14x05: Smoke 'em If You Got 'em (Dec 29, 2016)
- Episode 14x04: The Feast of Seven Trash Fishes (Dec 22, 2016)
- Episode 14x03: Choke Holds and Clammy Hands (Dec 15, 2016)
- Episode 14x02: Southern Hospitality (Dec 8, 2016)
- Episode 14x01: Something Old, Something New (Dec 1, 2016)
- Episode 13x15: Finale (Mar 17, 2016)
- Episode 13x14: Magic Hour (Mar 10, 2016)
- Episode 13x13: Back Where It All Started (Mar 3, 2016)
- Episode 13x12: Wok This Way (Feb 25, 2016)
- Episode 13x11: Hammer Time (Feb 18, 2016)
- Episode 13x10: Restaurant Wars, Part 2 (Feb 11, 2016)
- Episode 13x09: Restaurant Wars, Part 1 (Feb 4, 2016)
- Episode 13x08: Where's the Beef? (Jan 28, 2016)
- Episode 13x07: Back in the Day (Jan 21, 2016)
- Episode 13x06: Banannaise (Jan 14, 2016)
- Episode 13x05: Big Gay Wedding (Jan 7, 2016)
- Episode 13x04: It's a Dry Heat (Dec 17, 2015)
- Episode 13x03: Spines and Vines (Dec 10, 2015)
- Episode 13x02: Pop Up Pandemonium (Dec 3, 2015)
- Episode 13x01: Stop the Presses (Dec 2, 2015)
- Episode 12x15: Mano a Mano (Feb 11, 2015)
- Episode 12x14: Holy Escamoly! (Feb 4, 2015)
- Episode 12x13: Getting Prickly in Mexico (Jan 28, 2015)
- Episode 12x12: The Final Battle of Bean Town (Jan 21, 2015)
- Episode 12x11: Sous Your Daddy! (Jan 14, 2015)
- Episode 12x10: For Julia & Jacques (Jan 7, 2015)
- Episode 12x09: Big Sausage (Dec 17, 2014)
- Episode 12x08: Clean Up in Aisle 21! (Dec 10, 2014)
- Episode 12x07: Restaurant Wars (Dec 3, 2014)
- Episode 12x06: The First Thanksgiving (Nov 19, 2014)
- Episode 12x05: It's War! (Nov 12, 2014)
- Episode 12x04: 12 Chefs Walk Into a Bar... (Nov 5, 2014)
- Episode 12x03: The Curse of the Bambino (Oct 29, 2014)
- Episode 12x02: Boston's Bravest and Finest (Oct 22, 2014)
- Episode 12x01: Sudden Death (Oct 15, 2014)
- Episode 11x17: Finale (Feb 5, 2014)
- Episode 11x16: Maui Wowie (Jan 29, 2014)
- Episode 11x15: Leaving New Orleans (Jan 22, 2014)
- Episode 11x14: Po' Boy Smackdown (Jan 15, 2014)
- Episode 11x13: Oui Si a Challenge (Jan 8, 2014)
- Episode 11x12: Mississippi Mud Bugs (Jan 1, 2014)
- Episode 11x11: Giving It the College Try (Dec 18, 2013)
- Episode 11x10: Like Mama Made (Dec 11, 2013)
- Episode 11x09: Restaurant Wars (Dec 4, 2013)
- Episode 11x08: Piggin' Out (Nov 20, 2013)
- Episode 11x07: Jazz Hands (Nov 13, 2013)
- Episode 11x06: Campfires, Cream Cheese and Countryside (Nov 6, 2013)
- Episode 11x05: Lea Michele's Halloween Bash (Oct 30, 2013)
- Episode 11x04: Captain Vietnam (Oct 23, 2013)
- Episode 11x03: Commander's Palace (Oct 16, 2013)
- Episode 11x02: Rebuilding New Orleans (Oct 9, 2013)
- Episode 11x01: Soiree in the Swamp (Oct 2, 2013)
- Episode 10x17: Finale Part 2 (Feb 27, 2013)
- Episode 10x16: Finale Part 1 (Feb 20, 2013)
- Episode 10x15: Glacial Gourmand (Feb 13, 2013)
- Episode 10x14: Kings of Alaska (Feb 6, 2013)
- Episode 10x13: Chefs at Sea (Jan 30, 2013)
- Episode 10x12: Wolfgang Clucks (Jan 23, 2013)
- Episode 10x11: Restaurant Wars (Jan 16, 2013)
- Episode 10x10: Battle Before the War (Jan 9, 2013)
- Episode 10x09: Past Suppers (Jan 2, 2013)
- Episode 10x08: Jalapeno Business (Dec 26, 2012)
- Episode 10x07: Foiled Again (Dec 19, 2012)
- Episode 10x06: Even the Famous Come Home (Dec 12, 2012)
- Episode 10x05: Pike Place Pickle (Dec 5, 2012)
- Episode 10x04: 50's Food Flashback (Nov 28, 2012)
- Episode 10x03: Tom vs. Emeril: Turkeypocalypse (Nov 21, 2012)
- Episode 10x02: A Shock at the Space Needle (Nov 14, 2012)
- Episode 10x01: The Ultimate Chef Test (Nov 7, 2012)
- Episode 9x17: Finale (Feb 29, 2012)
- Episode 9x16: Fire and Ice (Feb 22, 2012)
- Episode 9x15: Culinary Games (Feb 15, 2012)
- Episode 9x14: Mentors (Feb 8, 2012)
- Episode 9x13: Bike, Borrow & Steal (Feb 1, 2012)
- Episode 9x12: Block Party (Jan 25, 2012)
- Episode 9x11: Fit for an Evil Queen (Jan 18, 2012)
- Episode 9x10: Restaurant Wars (Jan 11, 2012)
- Episode 9x09: BBQ Pit Wars (Jan 4, 2012)
- Episode 9x08: Tribute Dinner (Dec 21, 2011)
- Episode 9x07: Game On (Dec 14, 2011)
- Episode 9x06: Higher Steaks (Dec 7, 2011)
- Episode 9x05: Don't Be Tardy for the Dinner Party (Nov 30, 2011)
- Episode 9x04: Red Hot Chili Cook Off (Nov 23, 2011)
- Episode 9x03: Quinceanera (Nov 16, 2011)
- Episode 9x02: The Heat is On (Nov 9, 2011)
- Episode 9x01: Everything's Bigger in Texas (Nov 2, 2011)
- Episode 8x17: Reunion Special (Apr 6, 2011)
- Episode 8x16: Finale (Mar 30, 2011)
- Episode 8x15: Last Supper (Mar 23, 2011)
- Episode 8x14: Island Fever (Mar 16, 2011)
- Episode 8x13: Fit for a King (Mar 9, 2011)
- Episode 8x12: Give Me Your Huddled Masses (Mar 2, 2011)
- Episode 8x11: For the Gulf (Feb 23, 2011)
- Episode 8x10: Lock Down (Feb 16, 2011)
- Episode 8x09: Feeding Fallon (Feb 9, 2011)
- Episode 8x08: An Offer They Can't Refuse (Feb 2, 2011)
- Episode 8x07: Restaurant Wars: One Night Only (Jan 19, 2011)
- Episode 8x06: We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat (Jan 12, 2011)
- Episode 8x05: Dim Sum Lose Sum (Jan 5, 2011)
- Episode 8x04: Advantage Chef (Dec 22, 2010)
- Episode 8x03: New York's Finest (Dec 15, 2010)
- Episode 8x02: Night at the Museum (Dec 8, 2010)
- Episode 8x01: History Never Repeats (Dec 1, 2010)
- Episode 7x14: Season Finale - Part II (Sep 15, 2010)
- Episode 7x13: Season Finale - Part I (Sep 8, 2010)
- Episode 7x12: Gastro-nauts (Sep 1, 2010)
- Episode 7x11: Making Consessions (Aug 25, 2010)
- Episode 7x10: Covert Cuisine (Aug 18, 2010)
- Episode 7x09: Restaurant Wars (Aug 11, 2010)
- Episode 7x08: Foreign Affairs (Aug 4, 2010)
- Episode 7x07: Power Lunch (Jul 28, 2010)
- Episode 7x06: Cold War (Jul 21, 2010)
- Episode 7x05: Farm Policy (Jul 14, 2010)
- Episode 7x04: Room Service (Jul 7, 2010)
- Episode 7x03: Capitol Grill (Jun 30, 2010)
- Episode 7x02: Outside the Lunch Box (Jun 23, 2010)
- Episode 7x01: What's Your Constituency? (Jun 16, 2010)
- Episode 6x16: Watch What Happens Reunion (Dec 16, 2009)
- Episode 6x15: Finale (2) (Dec 9, 2009)
- Episode 6x14: Finale (1) (Dec 2, 2009)
- Episode 6x13: Culinary Olympics (Nov 18, 2009)
- Episode 6x12: Strip Around the World (Nov 11, 2009)
- Episode 6x11: All Stars Dinner (Nov 4, 2009)
- Episode 6x10: Meat Natalie (Oct 28, 2009)
- Episode 6x09: Restaurant Wars (Oct 21, 2009)
- Episode 6x08: Pigs and Pinot (Oct 14, 2009)
- Episode 6x07: Dinner Party (Oct 7, 2009)
- Episode 6x06: Penn & Teller (Sep 23, 2009)
- Episode 6x05: Camping (Sep 16, 2009)
- Episode 6x04: Vivre Las Vegas (Sep 9, 2009)
- Episode 6x03: Thunderbirds (Sep 2, 2009)
- Episode 6x02: Bach/elorette Party (Aug 26, 2009)
- Episode 6x01: Sin City Vice (Aug 19, 2009)
- Episode 5x15: Watch What Happens Reunion (Mar 4, 2009)
- Episode 5x14: Season Finale, Part 2 (Feb 25, 2009)
- Episode 5x13: Season Finale, Part 1 (Feb 18, 2009)
- Episode 5x12: The Last Supper (Feb 11, 2009)
- Episode 5x11: Le Bernardin (Feb 4, 2009)
- Episode 5x10: Super Bowl Chef Showdown (Jan 28, 2009)
- Episode 5x09: Restaurant Wars (Jan 21, 2009)
- Episode 5x08: Down on the Farm (Jan 14, 2009)
- Episode 5x07: Focus Group (Jan 7, 2009)
- Episode 5x06: 12 Days of Christmas (Dec 17, 2008)
- Episode 5x05: Gail's Bridal Shower (Dec 10, 2008)
- Episode 5x04: Today Show (Dec 3, 2008)
- Episode 5x03: Foo Fighters Thanksgiving (Nov 26, 2008)
- Episode 5x02: Show Your Craft (Nov 19, 2008)
- Episode 5x01: Melting Pot (Nov 12, 2008)
- Episode 4x15: Watch What Happens Reunion (Jun 18, 2008)
- Episode 4x14: Top Chef Miami Finale Live! (Jun 11, 2008)
- Episode 4x13: Puerto Rico (Jun 4, 2008)
- Episode 4x12: High Steaks (May 28, 2008)
- Episode 4x11: Restaurant Wars (May 21, 2008)
- Episode 4x10: Serve and Protect (May 14, 2008)
- Episode 4x09: Wedding Wars (May 7, 2008)
- Episode 4x08: Common Threads (Apr 30, 2008)
- Episode 4x07: Improv (Apr 23, 2008)
- Episode 4x06: Tailgating (Apr 16, 2008)
- Episode 4x05: The Elements (Apr 9, 2008)
- Episode 4x04: Film Food (Apr 2, 2008)
- Episode 4x03: Block Party (Mar 26, 2008)
- Episode 4x02: Zoo Food (Mar 19, 2008)
- Episode 4x01: Chicago: Anything You Can Cook I Can Cook Better (Mar 12, 2008)
- Episode 3x16: Finale: Part 2 (Oct 2, 2007)
- Episode 3x15: Finale: Part 1 (Sep 26, 2007)
- Episode 3x12: Manhattan Project (Sep 19, 2007)
- Episode 3x11: Snacks on a Plane (Sep 12, 2007)
- Episode 3x10: Chef Overboard (Sep 5, 2007)
- Episode 3x09: Second Helping (Aug 22, 2007)
- Episode 3x07: Guilty Pleasures (Aug 8, 2007)
- Episode 3x06: Freezer Burn (Aug 1, 2007)
- Episode 3x05: Latin Lunch (Jul 18, 2007)
- Episode 3x04: Cooking by Numbers (Jul 11, 2007)
- Episode 3x03: Family Favorites (Jun 27, 2007)
- Episode 3x02: Sunny Delights (Jun 20, 2007)
- Episode 3x01: First Impressions (Jun 13, 2007)
- Episode 2x13: Finale Part 2 (Jan 31, 2007)
- Episode 2x12: Finale Part 1 (Jan 24, 2007)
- Episode 2x11: Sense and Sensuality (Jan 17, 2007)
- Episode 2x10: Unhappy Customers (Jan 10, 2007)
- Episode 2x09: Seven (Jan 3, 2007)
- Episode 2x08: Holiday Spirit (Dec 13, 2006)
- Episode 2x07: The Raw and the Cooked (Dec 6, 2006)
- Episode 2x06: Thanksgiving (Nov 22, 2006)
- Episode 2x05: Social Service (Nov 15, 2006)
- Episode 2x04: Less is More (Nov 8, 2006)
- Episode 2x03: Food for the People (Nov 1, 2006)
- Episode 2x02: Eastern Promise (Oct 25, 2006)
- Episode 2x01: Into the Fire (Oct 18, 2006)
- Episode 1x12: Finale, Part 2 (May 24, 2006)
- Episode 1x11: Finale, Part 1 (May 17, 2006)
- Episode 1x10: Reunion (May 10, 2006)
- Episode 1x09: Napa's Finest (May 3, 2006)
- Episode 1x08: Wedding Bell Blues (Apr 26, 2006)
- Episode 1x07: Restaurant Wars (Apr 19, 2006)
- Episode 1x06: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? (Apr 12, 2006)
- Episode 1x05: Blind Confusion (Apr 5, 2006)
- Episode 1x04: Food on the Fly (Mar 29, 2006)
- Episode 1x03: Nasty Delights (Mar 22, 2006)
- Episode 1x02: Food of Love (Mar 15, 2006)
- Episode 1x01: Who Deserves to Be Here (Mar 8, 2006)
- Episode S09 Special: Texas' Reunion Special (Mar 7, 2012)
- Episode S07 Special: Watch What Happens Reunion (Sep 22, 2010)
- Episode S03 Special: Holiday Special (Dec 6, 2007)
- Episode S03 Special: Reunion (Oct 10, 2007)
- Episode S03 Special: Watch What Happens (Jul 25, 2007)
- Episode S03 Special: 4-Star All-Stars (Jun 6, 2007)
Today (1952)
Guest starring as Gail Simmons
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2024-04-19: Gail Simmons, Anne Wilson, Devyn Simone, Michelle Collins, Orlando Bloom (Apr 19, 2024)
- Episode 2023-03-28: Mary J. Blige, Nicholas Hoult, Gail Simmons, Hailey Whitters (Mar 28, 2023)