Padma Lakshmi wins 2 Critics Choice Real TV Awards

“Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi” wins best-structured series and “Top Chef” wins best culinary show

Hulu’s “Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi” and Bravo’s Top Chef” tied with two awards each at the fifth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards announced on June 16.

The annual awards recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming. “Taste the Nation” won best-structured series and “Top Chef” won best culinary show.

READ: Move over Butter Board, Now try Padma Lakshmi’s Lassi Board (December 30, 2022)

Indian American Lakshmi tied with RuPaul, host of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” in the best show host category.

“I love anytime I’m in a headline with @RuPaul!! Thanks for the wins Critics Choice! What a way to go out for #TopChef, and to keep the ball rolling with #TasteTheNation. So grateful to both amazing production teams!” Lakshmi tweeted.

Lakshmi is the host and executive producer of “Taste the Nation,” which explores the cuisines of various cultures and groups around the United States.

‘The most recent season of Top Chef, which concluded June 8, is Lakshmi’s last after she announced she would not be returning as host ahead of the finale. She hosted and was executive producer of the Emmy Award–winning Bravo series “Top Chef,” which is now in its 20th season.

“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,” the celebrity chef, author, model, and television host, wrote on Twitter and Instagram.

“After 17 years, many of the cast and crew are like family to me and I will miss working alongside them dearly. I feel it’s time to move on and need to make space for Taste the Nation, my books and other creative pursuits,” she added.

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Last month the 52-year-old became a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and will be featured in the magazine’s prestigious Swimsuit 2023 issue.

She immigrated to the US from India with her single mom at the age of four, and grew up in New York and then in the suburbs of Los Angeles.

Along with being an actress and a model, she is the author of a best-selling children’s book, “Tomatoes for Neela,” as well as a memoir and multiple cookbooks.

She is the co-founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America and was appointed United Nations Development Program Goodwill Ambassador in 2019.