Gail Simmons has branched out from judging Bravo's 'Top Chef' to hosting her own spinoff, 'Top Chef: Just Desserts.' But can she really make her own desserts? Simmons showed up on 'Today' (weekdays, 7AM on NBC) to make an ice cream pie and prove she can dish it out as well as she can ... well, dish it out.

Simmons said 'Just Desserts' is about more than just baking something tasty. "It's not about putting a dessert on a plate anymore," she said, "it's about structures and sugar and architecture and, kind of, magic."

Bethenny Frankel appears to have it all: fame, fortune, Skinnygirl Margaritas -- everything, that is, except for her own reality series.

Until now.

Frankel, one of the breakout stars of Bravo's 'Real Housewives of New York,' is set to star in her own series called 'Bethenny's Getting Married?', which will presumably follow Frankel's engagement to Jason Hoppy, according to E! (yes, the question mark is intentional).

When it comes to cooking competition shows, the two that consistently make the grade are Bravo's Top Chef and Fox's Hell's Kitchen. But while the two shows are ostensibly both about aspiring chefs competing for a prime position -- to beat the competition and emerge as number one -- there are really more things about the shows that separate them.

In terms of quality competition, food expertise and cooking skills, Top Chef is superior to Hell's Kitchen. They're both fun to watch, and I have followed every season of each of them. But the main thing they have in common is the kitchen. Read my five reasons and see if you don't agree with me that Top Chef has it all over Hell's Kitchen.

The fifth edition of Top Chef came to a conclusion last night. I'd like to say it was one of the all-time best seasons, that I was on the edge of my seat with excitement, that I was really rooting for one competitor more than another... I'd like to say that, but I can't. All in all, Top Chef New York, which became Top Chef New Orleans in the last few episodes, was kind of a dud.

Before I talk about the winner and what happened specifically in the finale, I have to ask why Top Chef failed to really make use of the location this time around? New York is all about food and great restaurants and amazing chefs, but I can't think of one episode that really used the city in a creative way. Where was the Little Italy challenge? What about a trip to Chinatown for wild ingredients? Gail Simmons' bridal shower could have taken place anywhere. The Super Bowl challenge was generic. And when it was time for the finale, TC went to the Big Easy. Is that any way to honor the Big Apple?

(S05E01) When I watch Project Runway, I'm reminded of the fact that I'm no fashion designer. I'd be up a tree if I faced the challenges those contestants face. The same with Top Design, not to mention any of the hair shows. However, Top Chef is a different story. I do cook and every day is a challenge to figure out what to make and how.

So, the return of Top Chef -- season five -- was like greeting an old friend. Here are people I can relate to, even if they have culinary skills that exceed mine.

The new edition is set in New York, a point that was obvious from the start with arrivals not coming via a pedestrian airport. No, here we are at Grand Central Station, a landmark. Then it's onto a ferry to Governor's Island to really get a look at the city.