Padma Lakshmi has announced that she is leaving Top Chef after hosting and judging the award-winning cooking show for 18 seasons. In an exclusive interview with People magazine, she opened up about her reasons for departing and her plans for the future.
"It was a very hard decision to make, but I felt like it was time for me to move on and explore other opportunities," Lakshmi told People. "Top Chef has been a dream job for me, but it also came with a lot of sacrifices. I had to travel a lot and be away from my daughter for long periods of time. That was very tough on me and on her."
Lakshmi, who shares 12-year-old daughter Krishna with ex Adam Dell, said that she wanted to spend more quality time with her family and pursue her other passions. She said that she has several projects in the works, including a new cookbook, a documentary series, and a podcast.
"I have a lot of creative energy and I want to channel it into different things," she said. "I love writing, I love storytelling, I love exploring different cultures and cuisines. I have so many ideas that I want to bring to life."
Lakshmi also reflected on her journey on Top Chef, which she joined in 2006 as the host and a judge. She said that she was proud of the impact that the show had on the culinary world and on the viewers.
"Top Chef was more than just a show for me," she said. "It was a learning experience, a cultural exchange, a celebration of food and diversity. We showcased so many talented chefs from different backgrounds and regions. We introduced people to new flavors and ingredients. We inspired people to cook more, eat better, and appreciate each other's differences."
Lakshmi said that she will miss being part of the show, but she is also looking forward to the next chapter of her life. She also hinted that she might not be gone from Top Chef for good.
"I'm not closing the door completely," she said. "I'm still very close with everyone on the show, and I'm always open to collaborating with them in some way. Maybe I'll come back as a guest judge or a mentor or something else. You never know what the future holds. I'll always love Top Chef and I'll always be grateful for everything it has given me."