Outgoing “Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi was thrilled to earn her fifth Emmy nomination for Outstanding Host of a Reality or Competition Show on Wednesday. But that was not her only award this year.
As executive producer of “Top Chef,” she also shares the show’s nomination for Outstanding Reality Competition Program, and her Hulu series “Taste the Nation,” where she does double duty as host and executive producer, earned her own nomination for Best competition program. Featured nonfiction series or special.
“I am over the moon here in Sicily!!! I am elated and honored to be nominated for both shows as ‘Taste The Nation’ is my passion project and it is my last hurray on ‘Top Chef’, Lakshmi said in a statement. “Thank you so much to everyone who voted and supported us, to my two teams! It feels great to end my tenure on “Top Chef” with a nomination for the show. And even sweeter to get a nom as a host! Maybe this could be the year?!”
Lakshmi faces a tough field in the Outstanding Competition or Reality Host category, which includes the Fab 5 from “Queer Eye,” RuPaul Charles from “Drag Race,” Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph from “Baking It,” and Nicole Byer’s “He’s Over It!”
Last month, Lakshmi announced that she would be leaving “Top Chef” after 17 years and 19 seasons. Kristen Kish was named as her replacement on Tuesday.
“Top Chef” received additional nominations Wednesday, including Outstanding Competition Reality Program, Outstanding Picture Editing for a Reality Program or Structured Competition, Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program and Outstanding Directing for a Reality Program.
In the show’s 20-season history, it garnered two Emmy Awards from 47 nominations: Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming in 2008 and Outstanding Reality Competition Program in 2010.
“Thank you to the Television Academy for recognizing ‘Top Chef’ with five nominations this year.” said head judge and executive producer Tom Colicchio. “This season was incredibly special as it marked our 20th milestone with ‘World All-Stars.’ I am so proud of this season and grateful to our production team who work incredibly hard to make this show year after year.”
Added Gail Simmons, perennial judge and co-executive producer: “It’s not lost on me that 20 seasons later I can still ride the wild and crazy culinary train that is Bravo’s ‘Top Chef,’ alongside so many bright and talented people. CONGRATULATIONS to our ‘Top Chef’ cast and crew (chefs, hosts, producers, directors, casting gurus, editing team and EVERYONE in between) who were nominated for a total of 5 Primetime Emmys today for ‘World All-Stars! ‘! So immensely proud of what we achieved in London and Paris, thanks to the Television Academy for recognizing all our hard work!”
“It’s an honor to be recognized by the Television Academy with five Emmy nominations for ‘Top Chef,’” said Casey Kriley and Jo Sharon, co-CEOs of Magical Elves. “Season after season, our cast and crew at Magical Elves continue to elevate the series and these nominations are a testament to his hard work and dedication. This year is especially significant, not just because it was our 20thhe season, but it was also the last with Padma Lakshmi, who was recognized with a nomination for her role as a host, and leaves an incredible legacy in the series.”
Season 20 of “Top Chef: World All-Stars” airs on Peacock.
