Why Padma Lakshmi Left 'Top Chef' After 17 Years

Padma Lakshmi left Top Chef after 17 years as the face of the Bravo series, and she previously explained her decision to depart the cooking competition show.

Past winner Kristen Kish took over hosting duties from Padma when she departed in 2023.

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“I had been on location for eight months out of the year. And when I wasn’t on location, I was in pre- and post-production for both my shows. And I was looking at edits of one show while on the set of another show. It was just exhausting and untenable for me to continue that way,” she said on Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, referring to Bravo’s Top Chef and Hulu’s Taste the Nation.

She continued, “I also felt I’ve done everything I set out to do and more at “Top Chef.” I’m leaving the show at a very high point, in very capable hands. Now, it’s time for me to challenge myself creatively.”

See what Kristen said about taking over for Padma.