Gail Simmons, head chef, reflects on judging the development in 20 years

Jill Simmons He reflects on his 20 years as a judge Top Chef.

“Ultimately, I don’t think my style (of judging) has changed much, but what has changed is that we as judges are allowed to speak really freely and edited less,” Simons, 49, said exclusively. Us Weekly While promoting its partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb for the COBENFY Connections campaign, which aims to change the narrative surrounding schizophrenia.

“I think the reality TV world has become softer in a lot of ways, and our show, in particular,” Simmons continued. Top Chef“It has more to do with food, cooking, the kitchen and chefs than with the reality that happens outside the kitchen.”

According to the Canadian cookbook author, “The real juice, so to speak, is what happens in the kitchen.”

“And that’s what our fans want to see and our viewers want to see. So that’s where we really focused our time,” she added.

Regarding her personal judging style, Simmons said that she now “allows herself, and the show allows itself, to be about constructive criticism more than anything else, and that comes first and foremost.”

“I think, you know, chefs in general will tell you that when we talk to them at the judges’ table, it’s because we really want to have a real, honest conversation about the food and know their intentions and give them good feedback, so they can do a better job no matter what,” Simons explained.

Top Chef It premiered in March 2006. The upcoming 23rd season, which is scheduled to air in 2026, will mark the show’s 20th anniversary.

Simmons told us what fans can expect Top Chef Season 23, which she says “just finished filming” in Carolina.

“Well, you know, it’s funny, we’ve spent some time in South Carolina, kind of in coastal Carolina before. We’ve never spent time in the more mountainous northern region of both North and South Carolina,” she said. “So I learned a lot. It was beautiful, you know, it’s a very unique way of eating, and it’s a very beautiful part of this country.”

As for the contestants, Simons revealed, “The chefs this season are wonderful, fun, and up to the challenge, and we are offering them the challenge.”

Bravo announced in July that season 23 would be filmed in the Carolinas.

“Our Cheftestants will riff on Southern hospitality, while embracing the Carolinas’ rich history and great outdoor cooking,” reads the announcement shared via Instagram. “We will travel and compete across Charlotte, North Carolina and Greenville, South Carolina! 🧡 🔪.”

Past seasons have been filmed in Canada, Wisconsin, Kentucky and even Paris And London L Top Chef: World All Stars.

While the judges saw a good mix of excellent dishes and less-than-perfect dishes over the years, Simons was reassured we In an interview in March that they have I was not “forced (to eat anything)” awesome.

“I think seasons 1, 2, 3, there were some things along the way, but that was before we had the level of talent (we have now),” she explained.

Nevertheless Top Chef Simmons said the show had “always” featured professional chefs, and he was still “figuring out the formula” in the early seasons.

“Since then, it’s become very rare to have bad food. Remember, these are not home cooks trying to be chefs… these are professionals at the highest level. And so these days — over the past several seasons, but certainly this season is no exception — it’s not about getting rid of the worst dish in every episode.” “The food is always very good. We don’t spit things out. Things rarely go terribly wrong at this point because they’re really talented.”