Considered an icon and tastemaker by some of the world’s greatest chefs, Monica Brown has built a career that has taken her to some of the most intimate corners of the globe. What began as the dreams of a young girl from Scotland grew into a vocation that placed her at the heart of gastronomy, helping some of the world’s most visionary chefs achieve success.

While she acknowledges the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry, Monica describes her career as “a perfect journey.” She is the founder of Lotus Land, an international communications agency renowned for shaping the global narrative of gastronomy and hospitality. For more than two decades, she has championed talent, launched icons, and redefined how the world experiences food.

Since establishing Lotus Land in 2000, Monica has grown the agency to include offices in the UK and consultants in Los Angeles and Australia. Under her leadership, Lotus Land became the only communications agency to represent two “World’s Best Restaurants” at the World’s 50 Best Awards. Its portfolio spans six continents and includes Michelin-starred legends and emerging culinary voices such as Josh Niland, Jeremy Chan, Santiago Lastra, and Mauro Colagreco.

In this episode of Schnitzel & Stories, hosts Arlene Stein and Angelika Schwaff sit down with one of the most influential voices in food media today — Gail Simmons.

A trained culinary expert, writer, and long-time judge on Bravo’s Top Chef, Gail has built a career at the intersection of cooking, storytelling, and advocacy. Beyond her on-screen presence (Top Chef Just Desserts, Top Chef Masters, Iron Chef Canada, The Good Dish), she is the author of two acclaimed books — Talking With My Mouth Full and Bringing It Home — and a frequent guest on Good Morning America, The TODAY Show, and The View.

Arlene and Angelika explore Gail’s journey from her Jewish-Canadian roots in Toronto to the high-pressure kitchens of New York, her experiences breaking barriers for women in professional kitchens, and her perspective on how food media has evolved. Gail also shares insights on mentorship, equity in hospitality, and how food can be both a cultural connector and a force for global impact.

From her co-founding of Bumble Pie Productions to her work with organizations like City Harvest and Hot Bread Kitchen, Gail’s story is one of determination, leadership, and a passion for elevating others.

Tune in the first Episode of Part Two of "Only a woman" for a thoughtful, inspiring conversation that celebrates not only Gail’s extraordinary career but also the power of food to shape culture, opportunity, and community.

Chef, author, entrepreneur, and food activist Trine Hahnemann has long been a leading voice for integrity and inclusivity in the culinary world.

From her base in Copenhagen, arguably the most food-forward city in the world, Trine built a career rooted in sustainability, feminism, and social justice. Raised in a leftist communal household in Denmark, she grew up with a deep appreciation for traditional food culture, collective responsibility, and progressive politics, values that continue to shape her work today.

Whether cooking on tour for the Rolling Stones, writing bestselling cookbooks, or running a highly successful catering company, Trine has always led with purpose. She’s been a vocal critic of the toxic, hierarchical kitchen culture inherited from Escoffier, advocating instead for collaboration, care, and mentorship. Especially for women in the industry.

In this episode, Trine shares stories from her remarkable journey and reflects on the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated space, where support from the food community wasn’t always a given. She speaks candidly about building a kitchen culture based on respect, dismantling patriarchy, and how we can create more humane and inclusive spaces for future generations.

Now living in a quiet village in Piedmont, Italy, Trine is entering a new chapter: One focused on reflection, writing, and continuing the fight for a better food system.

For more about Trine and to get her famous recipe for cinnamon buns, please check our website!