Top Chef's Gail Simmons: I'm Mary Ann; Padma Is Ginger

Top Chef judge Gail Simmons is writing a memoir.According to AdWeek, the 35-year-old chef, food writer, and Bravo celebrity wanted to tell her story of how she became a judge and host on two of Bravo's most popular shows.Of course, that's not all she's done. In addition to her television...

By Laine Doss

November 9, 2011

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Top Chef judge Gail Simmons is writing a memoir.

According to AdWeek, the 35-year-old chef, food writer, and Bravo celebrity wanted to tell her story of how she became a judge and host on two of Bravo's most popular shows.

Of course, that's not all she's done. In addition to her television work, Simmons is in charge of special projects for Food & Wine Magazine and has worked with a real Top Chef -- Daniel Boulud. She also worked the line at Cirque 2000 in New York City.

Her book, Talking With My Mouth Full: My Life as a Professional Eater, will be released on February 12 and is available for pre-sale on Amazon.

An

interview with Gail wouldn't be complete without asking if there's

any rivalry between her and host/goddess Padma Lakshmi. After all,

everyone loves a catfight -- even AdWeek. Simmons wouldn't bite.

"I

have amazing respect for Padma and even more so now that I host a

show. She has been incredibly supportive, and I realize now just how

much work she does. The role of the host is a lot more complex than

people think she is. I'm the Mary Ann to her Ginger, we like to say."

We always thought Mary Ann was the hottest castaway on Gilligan's Island.

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Laine Doss is the food and spirits editor for Miami New Times, covering the restaurant and bar scene in South Florida. She has been featured on Cooking Channel’s Eat Street and Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race. Doss won an Alternative Weekly award for her feature on what it’s like to wait tables. In a previous life, she appeared off-Broadway and shook many a cocktail as a bartender at venues in South Florida and New York City. When she’s not writing, you can find Doss running some marathon then celebrating at the nearest watering hole.

Contact: Laine Doss

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