Babson College has named Food & Wine Special Projects Director and Top Chef Judge Gail Simmons — accomplished culinary expert, food writer, and dynamic TV personality — entrepreneur-in-residence.

Her appointment is co-sponsored by Babson's Center for Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership (CWEL), which provides opportunities for women to become entrepreneurs, transform their aspirations into reality and create social and economic value for themselves and others; and the Lewis Institute for Social Innovation at Babson College, where entrepreneurs obtain the resources they need to build new businesses based on sound social, environmental, and financial values.

Simmons will work directly with CWEL and the Lewis Institute to mentor and guide Babson entrepreneurs, especially in designing strategic marketing and communications approaches to their enterprises.  

"As an inspirational food communications entrepreneur, Gail Simmons will share her rich and diverse experiences with students and help them shape ventures that will impact and add value to the world," says Susan Duffy, CWEL director.

Simmons is an active supporter of Common Threads, an organization that teaches low-income children to cook wholesome and affordable meals. She was a founding member of Food & Wine's Grow for Good Campaign to raise funds and awareness for sustainable agriculture programs in the US. She also sits on the boards of City Harvest, Hot Bread Kitchen, the Institute of Culinary Education's Alumni Committee, and the Women at NBCU Advisory Board.   

"Gail Simmons will be a tremendous resource for our students and faculty interested in virtually any aspect of food," said Cheryl Kiser, executive director of the Lewis Institute for Social Innovation at Babson College. "She can bring opportunities to student entrepreneurs, offer the latest insights and thinking on food issues, and provide a wealth of knowledge to get people ready to develop food-related initiatives."

Gail Simmons is a trained culinary expert, food writer, and dynamic television personality. Since the show's inception in 2006, she has lent her extensive expertise as a permanent judge on BRAVO's Emmy-winning series Top Chef. Now in its tenth successful season, Top Chef is rated the #1 food show on cable television. Gail is also host of Top Chef: Just Desserts , Bravo's pastry-focused spin-off of the Top Chef franchise, which aired its second season in the fall of 2011.