Padma Lakshmi and Top Chef Winner Melissa King Share Their Special Bond

Padma Lakshmi has frequently spoken about her close connection with Top Chef victor Melissa King.

“Melissa's culinary talent has always captivated me,” the 55-year-old Lakshmi shared with People on Tuesday, October 28. “She's delightful, and we cherish our time together. Often, she joins me as my guest, leading to our appearances on red carpets.”

Lakshmi also mentioned her strong relationships with past competitors Gregory Gourdet, Kwame Onwuachi, and Kristen Kish.

“While there are many of them, these particular individuals appear to be in New York most frequently,” she stated.

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Several days subsequent to this, Lakshmi and King donned matching The Addams Family attire, with King portraying Gomez Addams and Lakshmi embodying Morticia Addams. Two additional friends completed their group as Wednesday Addams and Lurch.

“I'd sacrifice myself for her. I'd commit for her. -Gomez Paddams,” King captioned a video featuring the quartet of friends on Instagram on Saturday, November 1

In a separate upload, King was photographed with Lakshmi, accompanied by the caption, “Cara Mia!” which translates from Italian as “my dear.”

King, whose initial appearance on Top Chef was in season 12, secured victory in the culinary contest during its 17th season in 2020, a season presented by Lakshmi.

“It's truly difficult to recount the entire experience! I recall being overcome with tears,” King recounted to Parade in June 2020, reflecting on her emotions when Lakshmi announced her as the winner. “Everyone was swarming around me. So much was happening. It was incredibly affirming in that instant, recognizing that the culinary concept I had envisioned for them was appreciated.”

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King observed that the adjudicators “perceived the intense dedication and affection she infused into her work.”

“My mind began to wander through the entirety of the season, and every moment replayed before my eyes,” she elaborated. “From the very first day, when I assessed all the contestants and contemplated my potential ranking, to being declared the champion. It was an overwhelming rush of emotions!”

Subsequent to King's triumph, Lakshmi posted a heartfelt message across her social media platforms.

“Melissa King, you truly flourished this season on Top Chef. It has been an immense joy to witness your growth into an assured, precise, and inventive culinary artist,” she conveyed on Facebook in June 2020. “You demonstrated how Chinese cuisine can be refined and how Chinese tastes can elevate all dishes. Your final creations were magnificent. You fill me with such pride! Well done!!”

More than half a decade subsequent to her win, King now resides in San Francisco, operating a business dedicated to gastronomic collaborations and events — and launched her latest cookbook, Cook Like a King, in September.

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“I am officially a published author!” King declared on Instagram in February. “My debut cookbook has finally arrived, and I feel like weeping! No one truly discusses the extensive time required to pen a cookbook; this project has taken over three years! Extracting concepts from my mind and transcribing instinct onto paper — it's sheer madness. I've harbored the ambition of writing a cookbook since childhood. I extend my sincere gratitude to my publishers @tenspeedpress @k.a.snoweden @jauneclaire, co-writer JJ Goode, agent @sabrinataitz, and everyone who contributed to making this aspiration a reality!”

King further elaborated that her cookbook features “a compilation of Chinese Californian recipes,” drawing inspiration from her Shanghainese grandmother, Cantonese grandmother, her mother Alice, and certain elements from Top Chef.

“This book was conceived with all of you in consideration — offering approachable, intensely flavorful, and remarkable dishes for anyone aspiring to enhance their cooking skills,” she enthused. “It represents the nearest I can come to preparing meals alongside you, sharing my techniques while we delve into the Asian pantry and deliver a taste of Californian flair.”