'Top Chef' superstar Padma Lakshmi announces she's leaving the show after 19 seasons

• Padma Lakshmi, the host of Bravo's Emmy-winning "Top Chef," won't be returning, she announced.
• She joined in season two and recently wrapped up the show's World All-Star 20th season.

Hold onto your remote controls "Top Chef" fans — Emmy-winner Padma Lakshmi announced she's stepping down as the host of Bravo's beloved series, a program she has hosted for 19 of its 20 seasons.

"After much soul searching, I have made the difficult decision to leave 'Top Chef,'" the actress, activist, and cookbook author wrote on social media. "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."

"I am deeply thankful to all of you for so many years of love and support," she added.

—Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) June 2, 2023

"Padma Lakshmi leaves behind an incredible legacy on Bravo's 'Top Chef.' Her impact on the Emmy, James Beard and Critics' Choice Award-winning series is undeniable," an NBCUniversal spokesperson told Insider. "We are grateful to Padma for being a consummate host, judge, and executive producer, and for bringing her ingenuity and exceptional palate to each episode where she ate every bite of food on the series for over 17 years and 19 seasons. She will always be part of the 'Top Chef' and the NBCUniversal family and has a seat at the judges' table anytime."

Lakshmi began hosting the Bravo during its sophomore season in 2006 after taking over hosting duties from cookbook author and then-wife of Billy Joel, Katie Lee. Over the years, she's told countless contestants — some beloved by fans, some reviled as villains — to "pack their knives and go" when they came up short in an elimination challenge. She also participated in crowning one of the most controversial "Top Chef" winners of all time, Nicholas Elmi, over Nina Compton, in season 11.

Lakshmi became virtually synonymous with the series, serving as not only the host but a savvy food judge of her own accord who said she ingested up to 9,000 calories a day while the show was filming.

A cook and foodie, Padma could be a harsh critic, especially when it came to Indian cuisine on the show (chefs would often bemoan that they had to cook Indian dishes for Lakshmi, who did not pull punches if the flavor was off).

In 2020, Lakshmi launched her own show, "Taste the Nation," on Hulu — where she takes viewers across America, sampling its diverse food cultures. She's also published several cookbooks, and in 2023, she appeared in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue at the age of 52.

It's not yet clear who will be replacing the "Top Chef" star or if any of her fellow judges — including Gail Simmons or celebrity chef Tom Colicchio — will be returning. A representative for NBCUniversal did not comment when asked.

The 20th season of the show, "Top Chef: World All-Stars," is currently airing on Bravo, where the finalists are down to Buddha Lo (Top Chef US season 19 winner), Gabriel Rodriquez (Top Chef Mexico season two winner), and Sara Bradley (Top Chef US season 16 runner-up).