Just read online the premise for the Jan. 7th show – I’m assuming this description is for the QuickFire, or is Toby sitting in for Gail Simmons and Tony and Jean-Christophe Novelli will both be there? "The epic...

and Stephanie frequently spent time in the front of the house with diners. Gail Simmons seemed to be hanging around closely with Lisa at the celebration at the end. You don’t suppose she was flirting, do you?

Did anyone notice that judge Gail Simmons was also mispronouncing them? She said bellini a few times as well...I’m pretty sure I saw Tom C. smirking at one instance.

instead of something to throw them off their game. I also thought that Oseland seems to just not like Chiarello’s cooking; it was interesting that his criticism was for the polenta, especially after Gail Simmons wanted to...

Gail Simmons did something like this in an earlier episode from (I think) this season, proclaiming that avocado shouldn’t be used in sweet dishes. Lots of cultures worldwide have sweet avocado dishes, the US isn’t one...

for whipped cream made with evaporated milk.This can be sweetend. In the 1860s and such women beat up cream for strawberry shortcake and other things.Not sure when Gail Borden invented evaporated milk. I think it was either shortly...

As far as I can see, the only two consistent judges, i.e. the two who have been there all the time are Padma and Tom. The have one wild card every week and Ted Allen/Gail Simmons switching off. That is 50% of the judging right...

Gail Simmons's blog has a major criticism I don’t recall hearing in the show: "[Marcel’s] beef was well seasoned and cooked, but the taro was far too dry and difficult to eat without it falling apart."...

It ain’t Bourdain, but Gail Simmons's blog is posted on the bravo website. Also Rocco gives a bit of insight into his sous chef period with Hung.

. They ARE the most consistent. And Dale wins!! And he gets a freaking Bears jersey and a studly grill grill, I guess thats OK, I still would rather go to Italy. OK, Gail Simmons still bugs me. OK, whaling on Nikki, Ryan, and Mark...

On another note — where has Gail Simmons been? She hasn’t been around for at least 4 eps — wonder what’s up w that.

I think it’s clear that Marcel had the best dishes for this particular competition, and Elia the worst, but I just don’t see how Ilan is picked over Sam. Gail Simmons seems to echo others sentiments that Ilan can only...

I agree. Ted Allen and Tom are the only ones who ever say anything interesting. Gail Simmons is fine, but her comments are always conservative and she is always agreeing with whatever Tom says. Who needs this panel of judges....

perfect establishments. Anyone see the pic on the front of the NYT Styles section yesterday. Padma and Russell Simmons were looking cozy at NYC Fashion Week.