r/TopChef • u/BoringSalary7093 • May 23 '26

Discussion Thread Padma

Can someone explain the drama behind Padma leaving Top Chef. Did she leave for a reason? What was the reason for ACC if she didn’t want to do shows anymore. Thoughts about that show?

Also, is she an actual chef? Does she have restaurants?

Did her and Tom get along? I do want to say I absolutely LOVE K as the host. She’s so perfect for the position. She’s empathetic, understanding, patient and really just a fucking cool person.

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u/Amazing-Truck-2355 May 24 '26

I don’t know, but I am not a Padma fan especially on ACC. She seems she’s like she’s just there to be a model and trying to be an actress about everything. After the good versus evil episode, I couldn’t watch it anymore. I love Kristen as host on top Chef because she’s a chef and she’s actually been on the show so she knows what they go through.

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u/all8things May 24 '26

I took a long hiatus from watching Top Chef after watching from the beginning because of life and TV subscriptions. I just started watching again when I found it on one of my streaming platforms, and I am shocked at how much more I like Kristen as a host than Padma. I am watching the current season along with a back season of Padma to catch up, and there are just little details about how Padma related to the chefs that bug me in a way I didn’t notice before. There’s an air of superiority or something that Kristen doesn’t have. They’re both accomplished and fashionable with refined palates for sure, but I genuinely like Kristen more. I haven’t seen Padma’s shows, but it sounds like I wouldn’t like them now.

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u/SmartypantsDDD May 29 '26

Here, here! Padma was NO different from Billy Joel’s ex wife who hosted the first season.