Padma Lakshmi Does Standup: Extended Cut

Padma Lakshmi Does Standup: Extended Cut

From Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio by Milk Street Radio

March 10, 2026 · 23 min

About this episode

An extended interview with Padma Lakshmi discussing her early years, love for standup, and career as a cooking competition host.

Today, we’re sharing an extended cut of our interview with Padma Lakshmi. We discuss everything from her early years in India to her love for standup comedy. She reminisces about her time on an Italian variety show, which laid the foundation for a long and successful career as a cooking competition host. Plus, she reveals the secret to being a great judge on Top Chef.

People in this episode

Guest: Padma Lakshmi

Topics covered

  • Padma Lakshmi
  • standup comedy
  • cooking competition
  • Top Chef
  • career
  • India

Keywords

  • Padma Lakshmi
  • standup comedy
  • Top Chef
  • cooking competition
  • Italian variety show
  • career

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Top Chef, Italian variety show

Places: India

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