Gail Simmons on Why Top Chef Wins, Cooking Competition Shows and What Judges Really Think!!
4/21/202659 min
This week we’re joined by the one and only Gail Simmons, Top Chef judging legend and renowned food author. Andrienne and Joe ask her what has kept Top Chef on top for so many years, what to expect in the latest season, and how judging really works on a food competition show. In this episode, we also discuss: The secret sauce behind the show’s appeal and why locations are everything Behind the scenes of working with Tom and Kristen (among others) Whether or not Gail has seen Padma’s new show The real origin story of Top Chef and why they owe it all to another Bravo show Stories from Top Chef: Colorado and taking a turn at judging Gail’s upbringing, career, and how she landed on TV Walk In Confession: Gail’s mishap during filming that almost derailed the latest season Follow Gail: @gailsimmons Follow the show: @chefscutpod Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham Follow Joe: @insta.flamm
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsAdrienne Cheatham· Host0:00
[mellow music] This week on The Chef's Cut, we are joined by the one and only Gail Simmons, legendary food writer and host of Bravo's Top Chef. Today, we're talking about what has kept Top Chef the reigning champ of food TV after all this time.
Gail Simmons· Guest0:18
I think that even our contestants think there's this, like, master plan, that we've orchestrated everything, and, a- and we really haven't.
Adrienne Cheatham· Host0:25
A little bit about Padma's new show.
Gail Simmons· Guest0:27
By coincidence or not, we'll never know, it premiered the same week that we did.
Adrienne Cheatham· Host0:31
And a walk-in confession that almost derailed filming this season.
Gail Simmons· Guest0:36
My face was black and blue for, like, the better half of two weeks.
Adrienne Cheatham· Host0:40
Joe and I wanna take a minute to say thank you to everybody in our Chef's Cut nation. We never imagined that we would've reached number one for US food pods so soon, and that is only because of your support. The number one thing that you can do to continue to help and support is put in those rates and reviews wherever you're getting your podcast. Thank you, guys. [mellow music] Gail, thank you so much for joining us. We are so excited to have you here.
Gail Simmons· Guest1:11
I'm thrilled to be with the two of you. This is, like, prime quality time for me that I never get, so thanks for inviting me.
Adrienne Cheatham· Host1:18
Gail, I wanted to know, 'cause this is something that a lot of people wonder about, because Top Chef is this massive juggernaut. It is an institution. It's the number one cooking show. When you joined,