‘Top Chef’ Winner Kristen Kish to Replace Host Padma Lakshmi in Wisconsin-Set Season 21
variety.comJennifer Maas TV Business Writer Unpack your knives and stay: Kristen Kish has been named the new host of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” following the exit of longtime staple Padma Lakshmi after the recently concluded “world all-stars” Season 20.
Kish, who was the winner of Season 10 and has served as guest judges multiple times since, will begin her hosting duties with the upcoming Season 21, which Bravo has revealed will be set in Wisconsin.
Head judge Tom Colicchio and judge Gail Simmons will both return for Season 21. Lakshmi announced her decision to step away from “Top Chef” just ahead of the Season 20 finale, which saw Buddha Lo take the title of world all-star in the special international season held in honor of the show’s 20th anniversary.
Having hosted the show for 19 seasons, Lakshmi said she now needs to “make space” for her Hulu series “Taste the Nation,” her books and “other creative pursuits.” “‘Top Chef’ is where I started my journey – first as a competing chef, then a guest judge and now as host I have the honor of helping to continue to build this brand,” Kish said. “I’m thrilled to sit alongside Gail and Tom as we get to know new incredible chefs and see what they cook up.
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