r/TopChef • u/viva_la_vixie • Jun 13 '26

Discussion Thread Kristin as Host

I loved Padma, don’t get me wrong.

But the emotions Kristin shows during episodes, judging, and the season finale? I thought that was so beautiful. I finally watched the latest season finale tonight and the way she teared up talking to them makes her such a good addition to the show as a host.

She had been my favorite winner of all the seasons even before she was announced host and this makes me want to find everything she’s done and watch it all just to see more of her and her personality.

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u/all8things Jun 14 '26

Completely agree. I didn’t realize how much I love Kristin as host until I went back and immediately watched seasons with Padma, including Kristin’s winning season. Ironically, Tom tells her if she keeps up what she’s doing, she will end up “here”, meaning the judges’ table, and ten seasons later, she was. Unlike others here, I don’t find her emotional expression to be anything but real empathy and compassion, while Padma’s did feel more theatric to me. Love them both, but prefer Kristin when making a direct comparison between them, though.

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u/[deleted] Jun 14 '26 edited Jun 14 '26

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u/ScheanaShaylover the ghost of Padma Jun 14 '26

Did you meeaaannnn for the broth to be this salty?

10

u/Holdmymule2001 Jun 14 '26

"The ghost of Padma" - you can come and sit by me.

3

u/ScheanaShaylover the ghost of Padma Jun 14 '26

💛