When top toques like Daniel Boulud, José Andrés, John Besh and Michael Chiarello get, erm, late night cravings, they don't go scrambling for the pots, pans and sous vide machine.
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Is it hot in here, or is it just the peppercorns? We asked José Andrés, Michel Nischan, Gail Simmons, Michael Chiarello, Sang Yoon, John Besh, Richard Blais and Andrew Zimmern to deliver some serious sweet talk to their favorite ingredients and kitchen tools in the video above.

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5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe.

Sweet things come to those who wait. Food & Wine Magazine's Gail Simmons been one of the breakout stars of the Top Chef judging panel since the very first season back in 2006, and she's earned her just desserts with a hosting gig on a sweets-centric spin-off of the show, now entering its second season on Bravo.

The Canadian-born host doesn't just mug and "mmmmmmm!" for the camera; she's a bona-fide kitchen star with a culinary degree, plenty of restaurant and recipe development cred and a food memoir on the way in early 2012. This all adds up to pretty high expectations from her dinner guests, but Simmons doesn't break a sweat. Here are five quick, simple, crowd-pleasing solutions for a tasty end to any celebration.

Your time starts...NOW!

Five Quickfire Dessert Ideas: Gail Simmons
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Live from the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen: Chef Daniel Boulud chats hot trends and chilling facts with Don Lemon, and Top Chef's Gail Simmons weighs in on the country's obesity epidemic.

Previously - Gail Simmons talks pigging out and the price we pay

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