Padma Parvati Lakshmi is the 52-year-old philanthropist and model everyone knows as a continuous part of Top Chef from 2006 to 2023. She has been a producer, judge, and host of the show for 17 long years, and now she reveals she is leaving after the latest season of the cooking show ends.
Top Chef – End of an Era
Now that season 20 of the show is coming to an end, its host and executive producer, Padma Lakshmi has announced that she will not be returning. She has been part of the show for 17 years and her decision was difficult, as the star relays in an Instagram post on her official profile. She says it was not an easy decision but after much soul-searching, it was clear what she must do.
The Cast and Crew Are Like Family
Padma expresses that the cast and crew of the show were more or less her family, as she has spent so long with them. But she does feel that after 17 years on the show, it’s time to move on and focus on her books and other creative pursuits. A spokesperson of NBCUniversal, the parent company of Bravo, has shared that Lakshmi will be leaving a great legacy behind. Everyone on the show is grateful to her for bringing her exceptional palate and ingenuity to every episode.
What’s to Be Expected
NBCUniversal stated that there will always be a seat for Padma Lakshmi if she decides to return, and she will always be a part of Top Chef, no matter what she ventures to next. Her friends, fans, fellow chefs, and crew at the show all came out in support of her in various comments about her time on the show. They were all saddened to see her leave.
There is still no word on Top Chef about Padma’s replacement, but fans will find out. For now, they have a few more episodes of Season 20 to binge-watch until Padma bids the show farewell.