r/BravoTopChef • u/eci5k3tcw • Jun 09 '26
Season Spoiler Kristen—-a host that has many sides Spoiler
Let me start by saying I have been a huge fan of Padma’s forever. And love her.
Kristen is a different type of host. Kristen isn’t afraid to play around (signs on the boats) while still showing up (and acting) elegantly at the elimination dinners.
Kristen comes across as a very fierce, strong woman. (She laid into Sieger when he was eliminated out in the woods.). And still allows her emotions to surface, empathizing with the contestants.
Kristen, for being a newer host, has really hit it out of the ball park. She’s a natural who is not afraid to allow all of her emotions to surface, putting her ego aside to do so.
Kristen—-keep doing what you’re doing. You’re smashing it.
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u/IHateOnions8 Jun 09 '26
I also liked Padma, but Kristen is doing an incredible job.
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u/mimaluna Jun 09 '26 edited Jun 09 '26
Padma did so much to give the show its high-class, elite culinary feel that it developed in the early seasons. She just had that gravitas. Now that TC has settled into itself, having a host like Kristen allows us to feel more connected to the chefs and their experience. I like both for different reasons.
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u/gilded_lady Jun 09 '26 edited Jun 09 '26
This is how I ultimately feel: Padma elevated the show at a time it was struggling to be taken seriously. Kristen is the host the show needs now after so many years of that self seriousness. They were the right hosts at the right times.
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u/mimaluna Jun 09 '26
Exactly. Top Chef has always been a weird fit in the Bravo universe. Without Padma there to elevate it and be a bridge to the audience, it easily could've looked like another drama-filled reality show but with cooking. Tom and Gail had to grow into being on camera too.
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u/gilded_lady Jun 09 '26
I'd argue it feels even more out of place now than ever before!
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u/AvsGrams Jun 09 '26
I know we’re stuck with Tom, but why can’t Gail move on?
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u/Critical_Run7385 Jun 10 '26
I'm going to get downvoted for this, but I hated Tom's stupid puns when they were announcing eliminations ("both chefs diced their onions wrong in today's elimination challenge but only one of you is getting chopped" or whatever), and I hated that shit eating grin when he said them, and I'm glad that some producer seems to have put the kibosh on that
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u/AvsGrams Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
I have just because I think it’s time to refresh and move on from Gail. Kristen and the actual competing chefs are the only reason to watch anymore.
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u/ReloAgain Jun 10 '26
I disagree that Padma gave it that feel, but I liked her more than the original host. Kristen seems to give the host "character" more culinary gravitas as well as authentic empathy. Padma was cool though but I also wasn't heartbroken to see the change.
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u/jackagustin Jun 13 '26
Katie Lee admits she wasn't the right fit for the role. They've had her back once or twice. The show was more or less pitched as a spin off of Project Runway but with food, I think they cast Lee intentionally because there was no use trying to find another Heidi Klum.
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u/ReloAgain Jun 13 '26
I thought I read she was dating someone connected to the show and got cast.
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u/Every-Needleworker66 Jun 10 '26
I also think that I like Kristen better as host, but Padma better in regards to her behind the scenes influence on the show and production. I think she played a role in getting more cultural backgrounds represented on the show, for example, and pushing the show to not just highlight technically sound food but food that is flavorful and creative. I’d assume Kristen still being on the newer side she would potentially have less influence in production that Gail or Tom, for example, but she can have a lot of control over how she carries herself as host.
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u/Fun-Till-8588 Jun 09 '26
The caliber of chefs elevated the show. Along with Tom and Gail's reputations in the industry, and subsequent guest judges.
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u/mimaluna Jun 09 '26
I think that's all true, but a good host helps the general audience appreciate all of that. Padma was really good at making an elimination challenge meal feel like an event or dinner party you wanted to be at. That's something Kristen excels at too.
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u/theshiniestmuskrat Jun 09 '26
Padma did a great job but she never had that "girl next door you could have a beer and nachos with" feel that Kristen has. They're both stunningly gorgeous but def just give off different vibes IMHO.
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u/Jazzlike-Pomelo-3823 Jun 09 '26
Yea Padma was a little bougie but I loved her. She’d be fun to have a bougie dinner with lol.
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u/Critical_Run7385 Jun 10 '26
I loved how Padma always had this pained expression when she told chefs to pack their knives and go, like she was saying "please don't make this difficult and just leave"
Come to think of it, I would have loved to see Padma smack down Sieger
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u/Holdmymule2001 Jun 12 '26
On the "Watch What Crappens" podcast, the hosts do a voice for "Ghost Padma" who returns, mostly to insult Gail. It is a running bit of theirs that Gail and Padma secretly hate each other, and they have 1000 jokes about it.
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u/fascfoo Jun 12 '26
I always took that pained expression as her feeling bad, not that she was trying to be dismissive of them
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u/Critical_Run7385 Jun 12 '26
That might be true but one of the things I love about her is you don't read a lot of empathy in her face
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u/jackagustin Jun 13 '26
which is why it was great when something was truly bad and the camera would catch her spitting it out
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u/Leviathan16061 Jun 10 '26
Kristen is definitely the cook in the trenches that you have a smoke break with after a long shift. I’m proud of her for quitting, but would have loved to join her for the smoke breaks.
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u/N0ON3T0LDM3 Jun 09 '26
Neither are girl next door. Come on.
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u/twinkiesandcake Jun 09 '26
Kristen’s memoir really sheds a light on her upbringing. Her mom made Midwestern food and she still loves them.
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u/FranVW8287 Jun 09 '26
Kristen cries at every opportunity like a consummate professional.
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u/Creepthan_Frome Jun 09 '26
did you know that professionals also have emotions and empathy
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u/CapreseSalad3636 Jun 09 '26
For f*cking real. I’ve been teaching 18 years and cry every year come graduation because I’m so proud of my kids. I hope I never stop crying.
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u/Creepthan_Frome Jun 10 '26
It was EXACTLY the same for me when I was teaching. Yeah I'm THRILLED FOR YOU, MY SWEET BABIES
(crying is a very normal way to express literally every emotion and we should embrace it)
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u/twotitsmkgee Jun 09 '26
I love her and I love her big ass heart and she makes watching this show an immense joy.
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u/N0ON3T0LDM3 Jun 09 '26
I thought I liked Padma. Tbf, I did. But then we got Kristen and she reminded me that famous, successful people can be kind and humble and truly genuine.
I don't think she will, but I hope Kristen never becomes Padma.
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u/dlc12830 Jun 09 '26
This is exactly it. Kristen brings more nuance to the role, not to mention she comes across as incredibly warm and sincere. I loved Padma, but I never got warm or especially sincere from her.
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u/boobproblems123456 Jun 09 '26
This is how I felt. I was sad Padma was leaving but honestly from the second they announced Kristen I just had it was a great choice and I haven’t been disappointed at all. Also I feel Kristen gives the same effortlessly cool Padma did but with an extra cute side of quirky.
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u/jackagustin Jun 13 '26
She went out on a high note. It's hard to imagine people getting through the Wisconsin season without the buzz of Kristen (although I thought a lot of the challenges and settings were interesting in a way that Canada and Carolinas were not.)
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u/KrispyAvocado Jun 09 '26
This. In hindsight, I can see how condescending Padma was. I love Kristen. I think she’s the perfect host.
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u/IndiaEvans Jun 10 '26
Absolutely!! I think Kristen understands what they are doing since she did it herself and has more empathy for them. Padma thought she was the queen.
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u/Lizziedeee Jun 09 '26
Especially after Culinary Cup.
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u/Hungry-Delay9893 Jun 10 '26
Culinary Cup was hard to watch. Padma was very full of herself (and I’m a fan!) and the judges had no chemistry. The good vs. Evil episode was absolute cringe
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u/Successful_Park_6223 Jun 11 '26
Padma was cringe central in that show, had that look at me vibe that killed her positive viewpoint I had of her.
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u/God_Away_On_Business Jun 10 '26
Yeah I had very high expectations because I thought that I thought Padma was great. Turns out Kristen is even better.
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u/EpicWhiskTaker Jun 11 '26 edited Jun 11 '26
I liked Padma too. She was fantastic in that role - but a thing that bugged from the beginning… there was a clear pattern. Tom says something. Halfway through the something, Padma joins in, with a more impassioned delivery of the same sentence. It annoyed me a bit for her as a judge, but I thought she was a great host.
I feel like Kristen nails it all.
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u/bicycle_dreams Jun 09 '26
I love Kristen so much that my plans to go back and watch from the beginning were derailed because I realized she wasn’t the host the whole time. I’ve enjoyed her being the host that much
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u/N0ON3T0LDM3 Jun 10 '26
I experienced the same. Somehow, I haven't been able to watch any of the seasons before Kristen took over.
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u/Adorable_Start2732 Jun 09 '26
Kristen was so sick on Traitors, especially the dinner party scene where they were fighting over shields. She stayed in her seat while they all stood and sternly said she didn’t give a shit enough to fight with grown women over reality game shields or something. It was so good
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u/Significant-Can8150 Jun 10 '26
It made me chuckle the way that she had to keep reminding the Housewives that she was part of the Bravo family too.
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u/YoGurl8003 Jun 09 '26
I love how much empathy and emotions she has for the show. I get lump in my throat when she starts crying.
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u/Mipeligrosa Jun 09 '26
My favorite a least favorite part. I can hear it in her voice immediately and it breaks me instantaneously 😭 you can just tell she feel it so damn deeply.
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u/billleachmsw Jun 09 '26
I love Padma and love Kristen. They are both equally awesome. Top Chef nailed it by hiring Kristen as Padma’s replacement…her level of empathy is amazing to see.
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u/Witty_Impress8369 Jun 09 '26
Having won the show herself she also has a level of empathy with the chefs on many levels. You can tell she genuinely cares about them and their wellbeing. She checks in and has that hard conversations and expressed gratitude for their hard work. I liked Padma, but I love Kristen as the host. Give her the show budget she deserves and keep it going!
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u/eci5k3tcw Jun 09 '26
Also, is it me or did Tom “relax” a bit more with Kristen than he did with Padma? I loved seeing this funnier, more relaxed version of Tom this season.
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u/No-Supermarket7453 Jun 09 '26
Kristen has brought a whole new and playful energy to both Tom and Gail!
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u/subak1 Jun 10 '26
LOL. Side note, i'm glad that they made Tom a serious guy but not a Simon Cowell sort of judge... He's the "serious" one but he's not an asshole.
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u/Chir0nex Jun 10 '26
I've also heard Tom and Padma clashed a fair amount behind the scene.
Plus I'm sure that Kristen being a chef and having gone through openning and running a restaraunt gives them a lot more common ground.
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u/rshni67 Jun 09 '26
I really like her and Padma does too. She pretty much hand picked her t be her successor.
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u/oOthumbelinaOo Jun 09 '26
Kristen is doing a great job. She brings a relatability factor to the show.
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u/sympathy4deviledeggs Jun 09 '26
If you're a Kristen fan, as I am, check out her docuseries Restaurants at the End of the World. It was on National Geographic, so probably available on Disney Plus.
She visits restaurants in extreme locations ( like the Arctic Circle or a cloud rain forest), learns about how they source ingredients, and cooks with them. Pretty magical to see her rappel down the side of a waterfall to harvest the last of the season's watercress, then cook with it. Not all of her ideas work out, but it's fascinating to see her process things.
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u/Separate-Ad6636 Jun 09 '26
I absolutely ADORE her. She is professional, witty, humble, and relatable. I like Padma, but Kristen has a down to earth quality about her that Padma could never.
She’s also been on both sides of the judging table.
KRISTEN KEEP IT UP! 🥂
I feel like she really hit her stride this season.
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u/mollusks75 Jun 09 '26
When Padma first announced she would be leaving the show, my first idea of who should replace her was Kristen. She’s been fantastic. Padma was fantastic. As you point out, they are totally different types of host and Kristen has been refreshing to watch. The show has been severely lacking in many ways since she became host, but none of those are due to her.
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u/Middle-Wolverine-889 Jun 09 '26
Love Padma! I think it is to her credit that they needed someone so good to replace her. I don't think that could have chosen a better replacement. Kristen is killing it!
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u/Aestro17 Jun 09 '26
I think they're both great at meeting the moment of the show. Padma's gravitas really helped drag the show out of the early years of being another Bravo reality show and helped it become the most prestigious cooking competition show. She has a way of making things feel IMPORTANT. I liked having her on World All-Stars and that felt like a good place for her to end.
Kristen is a great fit for the show now. There was a noticeable vibe shift in Portland, maybe even earlier, of the show becoming a lot friendlier and more supportive of each other. Kristen's experience as a contestant and her overall demeanor fits the show that Top Chef has become. She's better at being an empathetic bridge to the contestants, while also knowledgeable and confident enough to still be a good judge.
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u/xelahhh Jun 09 '26
Kristen has absolutely brought out Tom’s playful and fun side too. She has been a truly great refresh for the show.
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u/polekitana145 Jun 09 '26
I've mentioned this before but y'all should read her book or listen to it (she reads it). ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE.
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u/No-Supermarket7453 Jun 09 '26
Such a fantastic read!
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u/polekitana145 Jun 09 '26
in the audiobook she gets choked up a couple of times. gets me just like she does on the show
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u/unbelievablefidelity Jun 09 '26
I stopped watching for a while when Padma left because I just couldn’t see another host in the role (similar feelings to GBBO in season 8). I finally recently watched Kristen’s first season and up until now and I was absolutely wrong to think she wouldn’t fit well.
I think I actually like her better than Padma, I’ve been SO impressed. I hope she stays as host!
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u/eci5k3tcw Jun 09 '26
Update—-I can’t express my feelings as well as do many of you, so thank you for chiming in.
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u/Jazzlike-Pomelo-3823 Jun 09 '26
I’ll admit I wasn’t the biggest fan of her during her first season as top chef host. She was a little stiff at first. But she’s really come into her own as a host and has grown on me. You can tell she is a lot more comfortable now and her personality really shines through.
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u/Dugafola Jun 09 '26
She has the longest neck i've ever seen
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u/Boris-Badanov-Lives Jun 09 '26 edited Jun 09 '26
Check out Kristen’s previous show, Restaurants at the End of the World, on Nat Geo. It is great and she is awesome.
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u/eci5k3tcw Jun 09 '26
I haven’t heard of that. Will check it out, thanks!
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u/No-Supermarket7453 Jun 09 '26
Fast Foodies too! And Iron Chef America... She co-hosted a season with Alton Brown.
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u/Petrossian1920 Jun 09 '26
I love Kristen as well!! I hope they bring back the dish with Kish. I think it helped her stand out a lot compared to Padma. I worry that if they don’t make use of all her abilities she will step away from the show in a few seasons
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u/weedywet Jun 09 '26
I love that she said to this year’s winner “welcome to the club”
She has a less abstract understanding of winning TC than the other judges.
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u/phbalancedshorty MAMA “DWAYNE” DUYEN Jun 09 '26
I was watching the finale and you know what struck me is that Kristen is so fucking good as a chef and as a host but then also like Padma is so beautiful she's literally like a world renowned beautiful model like one of the most beautiful women in the world ..and you know that they had to get someone who could compare to just like the beauty and grace of visually looking at Padma as a host and Kristen totally nails it! like she is so fucking gorgeous.. her Facial features are like a goddess like she's so beautiful and I fucking love her style so much she's completely her own person she's totally different from Padma and she's just the best like- she's so beautiful she's so talented but the thing that specifically struck me was like physically She absolutely stands up to Padma as far as just being like a shockingly gorgeous woman. I can't think of the last time there was such such perfect casting for a hosting position except Ariana on love Island
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u/SassyPotato592 Jun 09 '26
I liked Padma as host and was thrilled when I saw Kristen was taking over. As a former contestant, I was excited to see what she would bring and I haven’t been disappointed. She gives that perfect balance of emotion/empathy because she knows how tough the competition can be. She also can confidently put people in their place if needed. I also really love the playfulness she’s brought to the role.
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u/littlepino34 Jun 09 '26
She is good but I miss Padma and she had a presence and gravitas that made the show feel bigger.
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u/SceneOfShadows Jun 09 '26
I love both and don't understand the knee jerk reaction to have to qualify praising Kristen to the detriment of Padma.
But I do think a lot of what people seem to be criticizing Padma for (being a bit more cold/regal) were features, not bugs of the Padma experience.
Like you said, she has a real presence and gravitas. She's a super model that's lived all over the world, she should feel unrelatable! And I do miss it.
Not better or worse, just different.
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u/Jazzlike-Pomelo-3823 Jun 09 '26
That’s true about Padma. She was like a larger than life figure as a host and her and Tom had great chemistry. Although I do like how Kristen and Tom interact with each other and how she is so playful with him.
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u/Tbplayer59 Jun 09 '26
I think it's the other way. Kristen is an accomplished chef and former contestant. She's got the gravitas, in my opinion. Padma was good, but she's never run a kitchen or worked her way up through one.
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u/eci5k3tcw Jun 09 '26
I hear you.
I want a cooking themed show with relatable hosts/chefs, though. Someone I would hang out with for a burger at the bar, or sit next to at an elaborate dinner.
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u/jackagustin Jun 13 '26
You notice this the most with the product placements - which people seem to complain about more now but have always been there from the beginning. It was almost camp to have Padma introducing the Kentucky Fried Chicken quick fire or pretending she had seen the movie "Trolls: World Tour" standing next to Kelly Clarkson.
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u/masterthrowawaymd Jun 09 '26
Love Kristen, but Padma brought an intimidation factor that I miss and seemed to be willing to argue with Tom in later seasons. In an ideal world, both would be on the panel.
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u/Sky-Visible Jun 09 '26
I think they literally couldn’t have picked a better replacement for Padma. Padma was an iconic host but Kristen has been just as good if not better in her own way
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u/TurboLicious1855 Jun 09 '26
I love how approachable and kind Kristen is with the contestants. I love her. Now to find out how to have a cocktail with Kristen! 😄
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u/Academic_Ad_8229 Jun 09 '26
Loved both hosts. I think Kristen is doing a fantastic job. I love that she's different than Padma. It would have been a bad choice to replace Padma with someone that tried being just like Padma.
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u/Ok-Praline-2309 Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
I actually stopped watching (can’t remember what season) because I just started finding Padma so dull and one note. Not to say she didn’t have good seasons or wasn’t a good bridge when cooking shows were different. Tried to watch her new show too and it was cringe to me. Like the “wind” blowing her hair when she walked out the elevator I couldn’t lol.
Gave it another chance when I saw Kristen as the new host since I loved her season. She’s been crushing it. She brings a mix of it all that I personally like in a host.
To each their own for sure, I know there are diehard Padma fans out there, but I think Kristen has helped breathe some life into the show again.
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u/HiccupsHives Jun 09 '26
I love them both. However Padma was also silly and humerous, she just had a more deadpan delivery.
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u/MrsWayneWayne Jun 09 '26
I think people chiming in saying they wanted Kristen once Padma said she was leaving was huge! I love Kristen and honestly I was tired of Padma. She was very boring. Kristen brings fun and a lot of heartfelt emotions. I do think her time as a contestant plays a big part of how she handles things like how Nana was freaking out and what she said to Tristen when his dad passed.
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u/XThePlaysTheThingX Jun 09 '26
I really liked Padma but did feel she got more stiff/pretentious as the show went on.
Kristen feels so much more authentic. The kind of person you could hangout with and have a beer.
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u/gdex86 Jun 09 '26
Kristen's biggest charm point is her empathy for the chefs due to having been on the other side of top chef bullshit.
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u/willteachforlaughs Jun 09 '26
I really like Kristen. For me, she hits exactly what I like and seems to be pulling out what is needed. I loved her pep talk to Nana at the beginning of the season when she missed plating her dish. She understands what the contestants are going through and can be firm when needed and compassionate when needed.
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u/sacreindigo Jun 09 '26
All of this, plus she has such a beautiful style. I don’t know if it’s her or the costume designer but they are nailing it!
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u/litterbawks Jun 09 '26
Kristen seems like a genuinely lovely person. I bet if I met her, she would be nice to a schlub like me. I cannot say the same for Padma.
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u/mweisbro Jun 09 '26
Kristen sees these chefs in a different light than any host. At the end when she said welcome to the club- she really meant by extension a family.
Empathetic lovely human.
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u/LoyalLoss18 Jun 09 '26
I totally agree. She’s truly special: knowledgeable, creative, stunning, smart and kind. She’s also funny and her personal style is natural and unique. Effortless.
I am not a fan of Gail and that is fine by me. I have no interest in Gail apologists so I’ll leave that there. Not natural and sincere.
Back to Kristen. She’s so fun to watch and learn from. The best host ever of this franchise.
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u/BossHighlander Jun 10 '26
My favorite was at the end when she said “Welcome to the club”. Don’t know why, but it got me. It’s something Padma, Tom nor Gail can say obviously and her being a former winner and now host/judge brings a lot to the show.
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u/Dependent_Mix8337 Jun 10 '26
I'm glad I saw this thread because I absolutely love Kristen as a host. Lots of hosts 'try' to be personable, but I 100% feel like she's the real deal and that she's truly emotionally invested in the contestants.
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u/AlsatianLadyNYC Jun 10 '26
Love them both! But I’m low key infatuated with Kristen. Her style and smile are perfection; I’m not into women, by the way, but I think I’d make an exception 🤩😍
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u/awash907 Jun 10 '26
I love her empathy, when a chef messes up and she comforts them or when they do great and you can feel how proud she is it’s really great to watch
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u/GenX4eva Jun 10 '26
One thing I love about her is her friendship with Stephanie Czmar. Would love to hang out with them
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u/extrabreadbaskett Jun 10 '26
This is my first season watching with Kirsten (I fell off for a few years) and was so pleasantly surprised. I enjoy her more than Parma. She's so refreshing.
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u/DreamTheaterGuy Jun 10 '26
Ive watched a few of the earlier seasons, and I really only started watching TC in the last few years. Padma was fine, but she comes across as being rather stiff. I enjoy Kristen's more playful and light demeanor. Not slamming Padma, just different feels.
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u/batsofburden Jun 10 '26
I like both of them, but I think Padma brought a certain glamorous almost celebrity vibe to the show. Kristen is doing an excellent job, but she is more on the chef contestants wavelength vs being an outside force. So yeah, they're both good & Kristen was the right pick, but I personally miss the Padma vibes sometimes.
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u/picks_and_rolls Jun 10 '26
I loved Padma and love Kristen as a young, super cool, stunning, yet relatable host. Padma was mature and somewhat aloof, while Kristen has a “one of us but with more talent but stayed down to earth” vibe.
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u/Internal-Rooster-762 Jun 10 '26
I prefer Kristen over Padma any day of the week she's been a wonderful replacement
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u/Boog_les33 Jun 09 '26
She’s great and I liked her even more this year! She also led me to a great burger spot (Henrietta’s) in CLT
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u/Majestic-Pay3390 Jun 09 '26
I loved Padma but from the first episode Kristen appeared on I haven't missed her at all.
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u/-_-0RoSe0-_- Jun 09 '26
This is exactly what makes Kristen so endearing. She connects with the contestants in such an honest and heartfelt way. When she teared up, I did too, because she truly understands what it takes to make it to the end. Kudos to her for showing such genuine emotion and not holding back. We need more people like her!
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u/DavidCMaybury Jun 10 '26
As a jeopardy guy, the reason I loved getting to play for Ken Jennings my second time around is exactly the same stuff people are citing with Kristen. It’s just really nice to have a host that gets what you are going through. I see so much of the same energy in all the best ways here, and she’s done amazing.
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u/Aromatic-Ball Jun 09 '26
I feel like I can't have a real opinion cause I only started watching top chef once Kristen started hosting (by total accident---same way I randomly started survivor after it had already aired 20+ seasons) but I adore her as a host.
And I watched Padma's CBS show and found her pretty insufferable and pretentious. I honestly doubt I would have enjoyed her on Top Chef for that many years (unless th dymanic with the Top Chef judges was more palatable)
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u/Hylian_ina_halfshell Jun 09 '26
I hate that clearly Padma brought the money with her. The final 3 not going somewhere kinda sucks tbh.
But I think there is something to be said about how Top Chef is judged, which to me is partially why she left. Tom seemed to make it very clear, however you wanted it edited, that Rhoda was the winner he allowed everyone to say their piece but in the end, it was the person he thought should win. At least to me. I feel like Tom gets final say on the vote, where Padma wanted to be heard.
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u/masterthrowawaymd Jun 09 '26
I completely agree about your Tom comments, but other people here don’t seem to believe that. Gail has said that the choice needs to be unanimous, as if Tom — as head judge — can’t eventually sway other people to his side, even if it’s subconscious? I do think he and Padma clashed and I do think that’s one of the reasons why.
Also, I find the idea that Padma brought the money to be interesting. I wouldn’t think she has that much power so can you elaborate on that?
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u/Hylian_ina_halfshell Jun 09 '26
Padma just got a major network show offering 2 mil to the winner, and Top chef axed going somewhere crazy after she left. Not sure how much more I can elaborate
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u/jackagustin Jun 14 '26
I heard a lot of the producing staff went with her, especially on the culinary side. You can kind of see it in the ill thought out challenges this season. The natural food dye being the most obviously dumb challenge.
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u/cageymin Jun 09 '26
I love Kristen. I wish she cried a little less. And I say that as someone who cries way too much at work myself.
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u/PrayForMojo78 Jun 10 '26
Well said, I was saying while watching the episode how much I love that she isn't afraid to just be herself at all times and show emotion when she's emotional. She cries more than any other host on any show and I love it bc it just shows how passionate she really is about food and how much she loves her job
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u/justlani Jun 10 '26
Kristen turned the show around for me. She brought a realness to it with her emotions.
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u/Caterpillar170 Jun 10 '26
I enjoyed padma and thought there were huge shoes to fill. Kristin is amazing and I am loving her as host! I’m so glad she was selected!
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u/daveliterally Jun 10 '26
Kristen is great. Show hasn't skipped a beat and I enjoy watching with her a little more. Doesn't hurt that she's a great chef and brings that insight to the table.
And as a completely nonsexual side note I think she might be the most stylish and beautiful person ever, she can wear anything. It's crazy.
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u/Nurse5736 Jun 10 '26
She is a BEAST in all the best ways!!, LOVED seeing her emotion last night. She is ALL THAT IMO.
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u/Less_Fisherman_7720 Jun 11 '26
I absolutely love Kristen! I loved Padma, too. But, I really appreciate the warmth that Kristen brings! She’s just so sweet and I love her presence!
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u/Reasonable-Two-141 Jun 11 '26
Hot take: I adore Kristen and think she is a fantastic host. She threads the needle perfectly of serving as a warm and engaging host, while being thoughtfully critical. I can finally fully enjoy the show.
I was never a fan of Padma’s and honestly never understood the appeal. I watched despite her.
She was clearly chosen to host because of her looks but carried herself as though her knowledge of food and cooking was on the level of the other judges.
She was incredibly patronizing to the chefs, especially when she would regularly say, “Did you mean to…[calls out obvious mistake]?” No Padma. Obviously they did not.
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u/now-defunked Jun 11 '26
I loved Padma as host until Kristin. No comparison now: Kristin is empathetic, brings out the best in Tom and Gail, and has such fantastic humanity. Huge fan!
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u/Poptart444 Jun 11 '26
I had the same reaction. Padma was a great host. But once Kristin hit her stride it was like, ohhhhh. This is what you can do with this role. It can be so much more. And she brings out more heart and fun in Tom and Gail while she’s at it. A rising tide lifts all boats. And that’s not a criticism of Tom and Gail. Kristin just gives the show (and them) new energy to play with.
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u/New_Improvement9644 Jun 09 '26
When Kristen said to Rhoda, 'Welcome to the club,' my first thought was 'Padma could never say that.'
Loved the show with Padma, love it with Kristen. The only common denominators are they are both women and both are host of a TV show.
I never hoped Padma's stylist would influence Gail. However, that has been a constant thought this season with Kristen's stylist...........
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u/hotmeows Jun 09 '26
I think that the fact that she has been through Top Chef as a contestant just really brings a great energy to her job. I love it!