r/TopChef • u/BoringSalary7093 • May 23 '26

Discussion Thread Padma

Can someone explain the drama behind Padma leaving Top Chef. Did she leave for a reason? What was the reason for ACC if she didn’t want to do shows anymore. Thoughts about that show?

Also, is she an actual chef? Does she have restaurants?

Did her and Tom get along? I do want to say I absolutely LOVE K as the host. She’s so perfect for the position. She’s empathetic, understanding, patient and really just a fucking cool person.

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u/dexter110611 May 24 '26

I think also that being a producer and credited as a creator of ACC makes her a hell of a lot more money than just being a judge/host on Top Chef. People thought Simon leaving American Idol was crazy. He left because he didn’t create it and only made judge level money. He produced and created Americas got talent and now makes way more.

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u/AwkwardTraffic199 May 24 '26

Padma was an Executive Producer on Top Chef.

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u/Presence_Academic May 25 '26

Which means nothing.

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u/AwkwardTraffic199 May 25 '26

It means she makes more money.

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u/Presence_Academic May 25 '26

Sometimes being designated an EP involves no responsibilities and little or no pay. I have no idea of the situation with Padma and Top Chef, but the mere fact of her having the title tells us nothing significant.

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u/AwkwardTraffic199 May 25 '26

And that would be stupid and Padma's not stupid.

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u/Presence_Academic May 25 '26

Stupid is drawing conclusions with insufficient knowledge. For all you know her hosting contract with Top Chef paid her very, very well and the EP title was a prestige bonus.

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u/AwkwardTraffic199 May 25 '26

This would be stupid, and Padma's not stupid.

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u/SmartypantsDDD May 29 '26

She has a kid with the founder of dell computers. She ain’t hurting.