"gail simmons hosts top chef desserts" news and stories

Gail Simmons, former chef and popular judge on the hit reality television show 'Top Chef,' dishes about her new role on 'Top Chef: Just Desserts' and gives us the inside scoop about her future role on Bravo.

Slashfood: Have you started taping for 'Top Chef: Just Desserts?'
GS: No, we have not started taping, probably in the next few months. I don't even know where we're taping yet. I do know it will be aired sometime this year.

Slashfood: How does it feel to be in the host's seat?
GS: I'm pretty excited about it. I've now done eight seasons with Bravo – six with 'Top Chef' and two with 'Top Chef: Masters' (season two debuts later this year). I'm not saying I'm not nervous, I am. I have big shoes to fill. Padma Lakshmi has done a great job, and I've learned it's much harder than it looks. The hours she puts in and the long, long days makes it a very challenging job. I love the producers so much and they've become very good friends. They're great creative collaborates and since Bravo trusts them, I do.

Gail settles Top Chef rumors and more after the jump.

Longtime "Top Chef" judge Gail Simmons will host the latest spinoff of the popular reality cooking show, "Top Chef: Just Desserts," Eater National reported.

Bravo announced it was creating the show, this time featuring pastry chefs, back in October. The second season of its other "Top Chef" spinoff, "Top Chef Masters" is set to air April 7. Like the original, but unlike Masters, the pastry contestants will live together during filming.

"We're finding people really love this franchise, and there seems to be no end to the interest in it," Bravo exec VP-general manager Frances Berwick said when the show was announced last year.

The announcement that Simmons will head up the dessert fest has sparked speculation she's in line to replace "Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi if and when she goes on maternity leave.

Gail Simmons gives us the inside scoop about her future role on Bravo in our exclusive interview.