Padma Lakshmi left Top Chef after 19 seasons as host.
The star, 52, announced her departure on Instagram on Friday, where she revealed her decision stemmed from a desire to move on to “other creative endeavors” after 17 years on the Bravo show,
She wrote: “After much soul-searching, I have made the difficult decision to leave Top Chef. such a successful show and the impact it has had in the world of television and food.
“After 17 years many of the cast and crew are like family to me and I will miss working alongside them dearly, I think it’s time to move on and make room for Taste the Nation, my books and other creative activities.
“I am deeply grateful to you for so many years of love and support. Sincerely, Padma.
Goodbye: Padma Lakshmi has left Top Chef after 19 seasons as host. The 52-year-old star announced her departure on Instagram on Friday
Farewell: The star, 52, announced her departure on Instagram on Friday, where she revealed her decision stemmed from a desire to move on to “other creative pursuits” after 17 years on the Bravo show
Top Chef debuted in 2006 and was hosted by Katie Lee Joel. Lakshmi started hosting the show in Season 2.
She joined judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons on the show.
The show features chefs who compete in culinary challenges. Contestants are judged by a panel of professional chefs and other food and wine industry notables, with one or more contestants eliminated in each episode.
She earned four Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Reality Show Host and 10 Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Competition Program as the show’s producer.
The success of the show has resulted in multiple spin-offs, such as Top Chef Masters, Top Chef: Just Desserts, Top Chef Junior and Top Chef Amateurs.
Padma shares her 13-year-old daughter, Krishna Thea, with venture capitalist Adam Dell, brother of IT tycoon Michael Dell.
She was married to novelist Salman Rushdie from 2004 to 2007.
Line-up: Top Chef debuted in 2006 and was hosted by Katie Lee Joel. Lakshmi started hosting the show in Season 2 (pictured with Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons and Kirk Westaway)
Beloved: She scored four Emmy nominations for Outstanding Reality TV Host and 10 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Competitive Program as the show’s producer
The Emmy-nominated food expert, television producer, host and New York Times bestselling author is thriving on her Hulu show Taste The Nation as it enters its second season.
The single parent said: “I think on Top Chef, for so long, my position and my role on this show made people think I was more intimidating than me – I had to be stoic in my role – but it’s not me normally.’
“You know, it was a new skill for me to interview people,” she admitted.
“I mean, I’m a food writer.
“Before Taste the Nation, I could count on one hand the times I had to interview people, and that was at a literary festival or a food festival – it wasn’t for very high stakes. It was something I had to learn on set, and I’m still learning.
And she has her journalism skills.
‘I think the reason I learned [how to become an interviewer] so fast that I’m really interested,” Lakshmi shared.
“The whole show is created around my different interests: history, food, people, languages, travel. I’m really curious.
