Padma Lakshmi Announces ‘Top Chef’ Exit After 17 Years: ‘I Feel It’s Time to Move On’

usmagazine.com:

The end of an era! Padma Lakshmi announced that she is leaving Top Chef after 17 years as host of the beloved cooking competition.“After much soul searching, I have made the difficult decision to leave Top Chef,” the Bravo star, 52, began in an Instagram post shared on Friday, June 2. “Having completed a glorious 20th season as host and executive producer, I am extremely proud to have been part of building such a successful show and of the impact it has had in the worlds 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.”The Easy Exotic author went on to note that she plans to focus on her other projects after leaving Top Chef, which wraps up its World All-Stars season on Thursday, June 8. “I feel it’s time to move on and need to make space for Taste the Nation, my books and other creative pursuits,” she wrote. “I am deeply thankful to all of you for so many years of love and support.

Sincerely, Padma.”Lakshmi — who shares daughter Krishna, 13, with ex Adam Dell — has been the host of the competition series since 2006, following chef Katie Lee‘s departure from the show after its inaugural season.

The cookbook author has earned four Emmy nominations for her hosting work, most recently in 2022. (She lost to RuPaul, who won for his work on RuPaul’s Drag Race.)After Lakshmi’s announcement, her colleagues and fans weighed in with their thoughts in the comments section of her post. “End of an era and an incredible run,” wrote Andy Cohen. “You were such an amazing partner and a BRILLIANT host.