COMPETITOR

Gail Huesmann

COMPETITION: World Sandwich Championship

QUALIFYING EVENT: Tastemaker's Choice

Born in Virginia, and raised in the Midwest, Chef Gail Huesmann was fascinated by regional variations of American Cuisine at a very young age. As a child she spent many hours in family kitchens, whether it was helping peel vegetables or trying to sneak an early taste of pound cake. When she wasn't helping in the kitchen, she was likely helping in the garden. What always stuck with her though, was the difference in food from Virginia to Wisconsin, and every place the family visited on summer road trips. Many years later that drove her to research American regional cuisine. Gail has an affinity for world cuisines (the root of most American dishes), dynamic and delicious street food, and exploring culture and history through food. She's spent as much time as possible traveling to learn traditional ethnic dishes and authentic recipes. She has also spent the last few years discovering how to make traditional comfort foods more healthy and easier to prepare. Her first job in the industry was making sandwiches at a deli and ice cream shop. She has worked alongside one of her favorite chefs opening several restaurants; she has been a chef instructor, and is now the Executive Chef at Old Towne Pub and Eatery, in Geneva, IL.