Tom Colicchio with Gail Simmons and former host Padma Lakshmi.Photo:Fred Jagueneau/Bravo via Getty
Fred Jagueneau/Bravo via Getty
Tom Colicchiois looking forward to the future ofTop Chef.
In early June,Padma Lakshmi, the Bravo series’s longtime host, announced that she would beleaving after the 20th season. Colicchio, 60, who has been a judge since season 1 while Lakshmi, 52, joined in season 2, had little heads up about her decision to exit, accordingEsquire.
Colicchio welcomed the outlet on his boat for a three-day fishing trip from Edenton, North Carolina to Shinnecock Canal Marina. There, a reporter asked the chef how he felt about Lakshmi’s departure.
“A producer called me just before it went public to tell me,” he said.
Tom Colicchio.Ernesto Ruscio/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Ernesto Ruscio/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
After a long silence, reportsEsquire, Colicchio added that it could be an opportunity for positive change.
“I’ve been doing the show since Day 1,” he said. “I have some ideas. For instance, doesn’t it make sense that the challenges should be judged cumulatively? I don’t think it’s right that you make one bad dish after making great food all season and you get eliminated?”
Lakshmi released a statementon Twitterannouncing her leave from the showonce season 20 wrapped.
“After much soul searching, I have made the difficult decision to leaveTop Chef,” she wrote. “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."
“I feel it’s time to move on and make space forTaste the Nation,my books and other creative pursuits," Lakshmi added of her award-winning Hulu series.
Padma Lakshmi.Michael Kovac/Getty
In a recentinterview with PEOPLE, Lakshmi shared some of her feelings about the decision to leave after 17 years.
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“She’s my friend and we’ve had so much fun together,” Simmons, 47, said on the red carpet at the 2023 James Beard Awards in Chicago, which she hosted alongside chefsEric Adjepong, Esther Choi andAndrew Zimmern.
“I still have her phone number, we still hang out,” she added. “She’s not leaving the world!”
“I wish her nothing but love and success in all the endeavors she does,” he added. “She has a lot of projects she’s working on, like her showTaste the Nation,and I’m sure she’ll continue to impress us.”
Season 20 ofTop Chefaired its finale on June 8 and crownedBuddha Loas thefirst-everTop ChefWorld All-Star.
source: people.com
