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.