Gail Simmons: Food Writer, Culinary Multi-Hyphenate, and Top Chef Judge

Gail Simmons is the ultimate culinary multi-hyphenate. Though she’s perhaps best known for her 21-season tenure as judge on the competition reality show Top Chef, which debuts its latest season on March 20, she’s also made a lasting impact on so many other areas of food media. Simmons has spent 15 years of her career leading teams at Food & Wine (including organizing the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen); has written numerous books; and has even launched her own production company, Bumble Pie Productions, which focuses on bringing women’s voices to the food landscape. But before Simmons was making a name for herself as a food expert, she spent her early career gaining industry knowledge by attending culinary school; working at the iconic restaurants Le Cirque 2000 and Vong; assisting Vogue food critic Jeffrey Steingarten; and running special events for Daniel Boulud’s legendary restaurant group.

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Hosted by Who What Wear co-founder Hillary Kerr, Second Life spotlights successful women who have made major career changes. Guests share lessons they've learned through fearlessly daring to pivot, and how they've used skills from their "first lives" to navigate their winding career journeys.