clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

#SBWFF Gail Simmons Interview Edition

New, 1 comment

In between a crazy travel schedule and preparation for her new Bravo series Top Chef Just Desserts, Gail Simmons, who is hosting the Daniel Boulud Tribute Dinner at the Loews tonight, took a few minutes to yap with Eater about a few things—and not just desserts.

Eater: Weirdest combo of ingredients you've ever seen or tasted in a dessert?
Gail Simmons: Season 2 of Top Chef, winner Ilan Hall once made a chocolate truffle filled with chicken liver! Thankfully I didn’t have to eat it.
E: Is your sweet tooth always on? What if it's off and you just want to grab a bag of salty potato chips?
GS: I can turn my sweet tooth on for any situation! I never turn down dark chocolate, caramel and sugar. But I’m equally a fan of the salty side too. I love a good cheeseburger, full sour pickles and my favorite guilty snack is probably salt & vinegar chips; I crave them just as much as I crave desserts.

E: Dessert you're best known for making?
GS: My husband LOVES the combination of banana, peanut butter and chocolate, so I am always trying new desserts in that combination. I make a mean banana soufflé with chocolate ice cream and peanut butter sauce! I have pretty much tried to make almost every dessert in the book with those 3 ingredients. I also love making lemon tarts and a favorite treat my friends call "Gail's Peach Pizza", which is simply sliced peaches over ground almonds, cinnamon and sugar on golden puff pastry. It's a simple summer recipe for when I’m entertaining friends.”
E: Favorite sweet spots in Miami?
GS: I love Ice Box Cafe in South Beach, it’s a great place to have lunch and they have delicious sweets. I also never get tired of Joe’s Stone Crab key lime pie.
E: Favorite restaurants in Miami?
GS: Michy’s of course! And definitely Michael's Genuine. I also love Miami's amazing, authentic Cuban food.
E: Events you are most looking forward to at the festival this weekend?
GS: Looking most forward to the Tribute dinner honoring Daniel Boulud, which I am hosting. He is a great mentor of mine and my old boss. The dinner itself will be an incredible experience, cooked by the best chefs from France and the US!
E: Favorite non-festival related place to hang out while in Miami?
GS: I love going to the Design District, checking out the new shops and art galleries. I’m always finding new places to explore there.

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the Eater Miami newsletter

The freshest news from the local food world