Padma Lakshmi

Padma Parvati Lakshmi (born September 1, 1970) is an Indian-American author, activist, actress, model, philanthropist, and television host. She gained fame as the host of the cooking competition program Top Chef on Bravo, serving as the host continuously from 2006 to 2023. Lakshmi received Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Reality Host in 2009 and 2020 through 2022 for her work on the show. In addition to her hosting duties, she created, hosted, and executive produced the acclaimed docuseries Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi. This series premiered in 2020 on Hulu and explores the food and culture of immigrant and indigenous communities in America. Lakshmi is also an accomplished author, having published six books on cooking, flavors, spices, and her own memoir.