Padma Lakshmi on ‘Top Chef’ Lessons Learned and ‘America’s Culinary Cup’ episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 25, 2026 · 29 MIN

Padma Lakshmi on ‘Top Chef’ Lessons Learned and ‘America’s Culinary Cup’

from Obsessed: The Podcast · host The Daily Beast

Fresh off celebrating the Knicks’ long-awaited NBA Championship, Padma Lakshmi joins Kevin Fallon to discuss America’s Culinary Cup, the ambitious new competition series she hopes will become the “Olympics of food.” From being dubbed the “Beyoncé of food” to overcoming imposter syndrome during her early Top Chef years, Padma reflects on her remarkable career and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She also reveals why she wanted to strip away reality TV gimmicks, treat chefs like the superstars they are, and create a million-dollar culinary showdown that’s as glamorous as it is fiercely competitive. Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram ⁠@kpfallon⁠ Follow Matt Wilstein on Instagram ⁠@mattjwilstein⁠ New episodes every Thursday, and Saturday; ⁠early drops on YouTube⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fresh off celebrating the Knicks’ long-awaited NBA Championship, Padma Lakshmi joins Kevin Fallon to discuss America’s Culinary Cup, the ambitious new competition series she hopes will become the “Olympics of food.” From being dubbed the “Beyoncé of food” to overcoming imposter syndrome during her early Top Chef years, Padma reflects on her remarkable career and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She also reveals why she wanted to strip away reality TV gimmicks, treat chefs like the superstars they are, and create a million-dollar culinary showdown that’s as glamorous as it is fiercely competitive. Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram ⁠@kpfallon⁠ Follow Matt Wilstein on Instagram ⁠@mattjwilstein⁠ New episodes every Thursday, and Saturday; ⁠early drops on YouTube⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NOW PLAYING

Padma Lakshmi on ‘Top Chef’ Lessons Learned and ‘America’s Culinary Cup’

0:00 29:35

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Big Old Life: Heather Blackbird interviews people on planet earth. Heather Blackbird loves asking questions. This podcast is a learning experience. Join me, Heather Blackbird, as I talk to people about their lives. Frequency of new episodes is a little all over the place and I'm learning as I go. Big Old Life is a small way of talking about the vastness of life, one person at a time. If you are reading this or found this podcast it's probably because someone you know gave you a link to it. :) Explicit Tales Of A Superstar DJ The Insomniac Spun seemingly out of nowhere from her complacent life in the corporate world, turned seemingly overnight from 16-Hour shift work and into the life of a literally starving artist and working musician, The Protagonist navigates her supposed rise to fame and superstardom on a journey through spiritual awakening, coming-of-age, and intimate self-realization--guided by an omnipresent force and equipped with the power of love, magic, and music. {Enter The Multiverse.} [The Festival Project] The Festival Project, Inc.™ is a multidimensional multimedia platform which encompasses exploratory and artistic social personifications and expressions on cosmic theory, spirituality, growth, health & wellness, philosophy and theoretic dynamics in entertainment such as music, design, film, television, radio, dance and festival culture, art, fashion, literature, and science. The Festival Project™ and its subsidiary Non-Profit, The Collective Complex © aims to challenge modern artistic and philosop Explicit Bitcoin Is Dead Trey Carson Welcome to Bitcoin is Dead, the ultimate Bitcoin variety show where host Trey takes you on a journey through the ever-evolving world of Bitcoin. Each episode brings new personalities, fascinating locations, and insightful conversations with politicians, educators, and innovators shaping the future of Bitcoin. Whether you're a seasoned Bitcoiner or just starting your journey, tune in for thought-provoking discussions, unique perspectives, and a deep dive into the ideas and people driving the Bitcoin revolution. Explicit The Sacred +Profane Podcast nephtaragrace The Sacred + Profane Podcast is a provocative conversation dedicated to cementing a better future for all. We specialize in unpacking the nuances of what is considered sacred and profane, particularly focusing on sex, death, and all that pertains to the circle of life. Our aim in focusing on such ”taboo” subject matter is to demystify what is unconscious, bring to light what has been known for centuries as ”the occult,” and empower the rapid transformation that is occurring on the Planet. Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Obsessed: The Podcast?

This episode is 29 minutes long.

When was this Obsessed: The Podcast episode published?

This episode was published on June 25, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Fresh off celebrating the Knicks’ long-awaited NBA Championship, Padma Lakshmi joins Kevin Fallon to discuss America’s Culinary Cup, the ambitious new competition series she hopes will become the “Olympics of food.” From being dubbed the “Beyoncé of...

Can I download this Obsessed: The Podcast episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!