Padma Lakshmi was almost synonymous with Top Chef and was the face of the show for almost two decades. She brought a sense of elegance and a no-nonsense approach that truly shaped the series. While every season had its own set of challenges, there was one in particular that pushed her to the limit.
This was Top Chef Season 15, which was filmed in the high altitudes of Colorado. Along with the talented chefs, this season was physically demanding for Lakshmi as well.
Season 15 of Top Chef pushed Padma Lakshmi to her limits
For almost two decades, Padma Lakshmi was the heart and soul of Top Chef. She effortlessly guided chefs through the challenges of the competition with her signature calm demeanor. Though she left the show after season 20, her legacy still continues to be a huge part of the show. While she had an absolute blast filming Top Chef, Season 15 pushed her to her limits.
This season was set against the stunning yet demanding backdrop of Colorado but proved to be much more than just another cooking showdown. The altitude alone created huge issues—not just for the participants but for Lakshmi herself. She added in an interview via Cinema Blend and mentioned:
For me, filming was a challenge, just to digest all the food because I had terrible altitude sickness. I’d been there before, I’d been to the Food & Wine festival, I’d been to Aspen several times, but I’d never been there with the show for that long.
The mountain air took a bad toll on her and made tasting and judging dishes an immense challenge. While she had visited the region before, spending an extended time there was a completely different experience.
It left her battling acute altitude sickness. But despite all of this, she powered through the challenges and delivered the same insightful critiques.
Padma Lakshmi’s one outfit choice sparked a heated debate
When it came to stating her opinions, Padma Lakshmi was never one to shy away. The same happened when she became part of a heated debate over her Top Chef finale appearance.
During the finale, she wore Planned Parenthood pins, which caused a significant stir. In an interview at Build Studio in New York as reported by Yahoo, she explained that her support for the organization was personal and not a statement on behalf of Bravo or Top Chef.
She added, “Everyone has a right to their own opinion,” emphasizing that her decision to wear the pin was a reflection of her own values.
Lakshmi also shared that when she asked fellow judges Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, and Graham Elliot to wear the pins, they quickly agreed. A longtime supporter of Planned Parenthood, she remained unfazed by criticism over her outfit choice.
Instead, she stayed open to having a thoughtful and informed conversation on the matter.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
