Gail Simmons is a Canadian food writer, cookbook author, and judge on BRAVO’s Top Chef whose love of food started as far back as she can recall. Since childhood, Gail regularly traveled with her family to South Africa, her father’s country of origin. On today's episode, Gail shares the myriad of ways the country sparked her early interest in the world around her and introduced her to new cuisine. The powerful sensory memories she developed have stayed with her to this day. From going on safari, to taking her first sip of wine, to witnessing apartheid, her trips to South Africa are a testament to the educational value of leaving one’s own bubble. It’s a lesson Gail now instills in her two young children, Dahlia and Kole.