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07.12.2016

an interview with padma lakshmi, and a giveaway!

LLWWA Cover

Recently I had the opportunity to interview Padma Lakshmi, star of Bravo TV’s Top Chef.  SQUEEEE!!!!

Padma recently wrote a memoir called Love, Loss and What We Ate.  It’s a candid portrait of her childhood in India, her life as a celebrity, and the food she’s cooked and eaten along the way. It was a huge, exciting opportunity for me to get the chance to ask Padma a few questions.

Even better, today she’s offering three lucky Grits and Chopsticks readers a chance to win an autographed copy of her book! Click below to find out details on how to enter, and what Padma had to say about filming next season’s Top Chef in Charleston, South Carolina, what she cooks at home, and more!

GET ALL THE LATEST RECIPES, RESTAURANT REVIEWS & MORE FROM GRITS & CHOPSTICKS BY FOLLOWING ME ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST OR TWITTER!

Me: I understand you’re already filming Top Chef Season 14, which is in my former hometown in Charleston, South Carolina.  What’s your favorite dish (and restaurant) that you’ve eaten at so far?

Padma Lakshmi (PL): I have really enjoyed Minero for Mexican food and the burgers at Husk. Unfortunately, I haven’t been to much else because of our production schedule.

Me: Many of my blog readers are moms of young kids looking for inspired, yet kid-friendly dishes to eat at home with their families. What’s a staple dish that you cook for your daughter when you’re at home?

PL: We love taco night at my house. You can always boil black beans the night before. I keep all of the fixings, like lettuce, tomatoes and grated cheese separate, kind of like a little taco bar, and everyone can build their own taco the way they like. We also like Spanish Tortilla Cakes, which are kind of like an omelet with eggs, potatoes, and a little bit of onion. This dish is meant to be eaten at room temperature, so you can cut it into slices, wrap it in tin foil, and slip into your purse if you need something on the go, or you could also take it to the park for a luxurious picnic. We try to keep everything balanced with a nice mix of protein, starch and vegetables.

Me: What’s the last, totally irrational, completely insane food craving that you had? How did you satisfy it?

PL: I was craving a Vietnamese sandwich recently but ended up just putting a little peanut butter and sriracha on a ham sandwich.

Me: Name your all-time, top three dishes that you’ve ever tasted as part of your judging for Top Chef (across all seasons).

PL: Carrie Mashaney’s hot sauce from the New Orleans season of Top Chef (I stole a bottle from set and keep in my fridge!), Ilan Hall’s fideos with chorizo and ham and Carla Hall’s apple pie.

Me: Have you ever had a disastrous kitchen/cooking fail?  What was it and how did you recover from it (if you did at all)?

PL: At my first apartment when I moved back to Los Angeles from Italy, I caused a kitchen fire. I was trying to toss some onions that I was sautéing in oil, and I guess I tossed it too hard, because some of it spilled and the next thing I knew, there were flames everywhere and the whole back wall had turned black from the smoke. I ended up having to repaint the whole kitchen!

Thanks for chatting with me, Padma!  I’m looking forward to the next season of Top Chef!

You can have a chance to win one of three autographed copies of Love, Loss and What I Ate: A Memoir by Padma Lakshmi!  To enter, leave a comment on this post and check my Instagram account for more chances to win!

The rules: U.S. winners only. Void where prohibited by law. Must be 18 to enter. Giveaway closes on July 19, 2016.  Winner must contact gritsandchopsticks [at] gmail [dot] com within 24 hours of being notified that they have won with their mailing address.  Prize ships directly from the publisher; Grits & Chopsticks assumes no liability in the transfer or shipment of prizes to winners.

GET ALL THE LATEST RECIPES, RESTAURANT REVIEWS & MORE FROM GRITS & CHOPSTICKS BY FOLLOWING ME ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST OR TWITTER!
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29 Comments Filed Under: blog features, cooking adventures, sponsored posts

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tara Cosgrove says

    07.12.2016 at 2:00 pm

    LOVE her! Fun interview and I’m excited for Top Chef in Charleston! XOXOX

    Reply
    • Aimee Chen says

      07.12.2016 at 7:52 pm

      Love her too! And love taco nights!!!!

      Reply
  2. Amanda Singley says

    07.12.2016 at 2:09 pm

    Oh my gosh! Love this!!!

    Reply
  3. Sarah Wright says

    07.12.2016 at 2:39 pm

    AHHH, I’m so excited you got to do this interview! She is amazing! Excited for the cookbook give away too!

    Reply
  4. Haas Wells says

    07.12.2016 at 2:39 pm

    What a fun interview! I love her and her last cookbook! Proud of you, Ann!!

    Reply
  5. Ashley Hamilton says

    07.12.2016 at 3:05 pm

    She seems so down to earth! Great interview! Truly a mom if she has foil wrapped snacks in her purse. 🙂

    Reply
    • Mitchell Walters says

      07.12.2016 at 3:27 pm

      Loooove this! Might be adding taco night to my weekly rotation of meals for the kids. I’ve always adored her on Top Chef and I can’t wait to see them in Charleston. Congrats on an awesome interview!

      Reply
      • gritsandchopsticks says

        07.12.2016 at 3:34 pm

        Thanks, Mitchell!

        Reply
    • gritsandchopsticks says

      07.12.2016 at 3:34 pm

      Totally — I loved that part of her response too!

      Reply
  6. Katherine M. says

    07.12.2016 at 3:25 pm

    Great interview! Love Padma and Top Chef!

    Reply
    • gritsandchopsticks says

      07.12.2016 at 3:34 pm

      Thanks, Katherine!

      Reply
      • Ashley K says

        07.12.2016 at 9:13 pm

        This is too cool! Congrats on such an awesome feature!

        Reply
  7. Aparna Prakash says

    07.12.2016 at 5:52 pm

    This is way cool, lovely interview. Absolutely love Padma Lakshmi..she is such a star!

    Reply
    • gritsandchopsticks says

      07.12.2016 at 9:22 pm

      thank you!

      Reply
  8. Laura says

    07.12.2016 at 7:58 pm

    Obsessed with Top Chef! So fun!

    Reply
    • Jessica Pollock says

      07.12.2016 at 9:36 pm

      Fun interview! Foil wrapped eggs to go! I’m a big Minero fan too.

      Reply
  9. Katie McCarron says

    07.12.2016 at 10:15 pm

    Yeah for taco nights! Such a cool interview! Way to go Ann!!!

    Reply
  10. Brooke Yount says

    07.12.2016 at 10:41 pm

    Love this! Excited about the next Top Chef.

    Reply
  11. Minta Horton says

    07.12.2016 at 11:23 pm

    How much fun! Know you kept your composure (unlike me!) as evidenced by your fantastic interview. Congratulations!

    Reply
  12. Katie Tillman says

    07.13.2016 at 1:00 am

    This is awesome! Loved reading about her!

    Reply
  13. Brennan Mullin says

    07.13.2016 at 10:30 am

    Great interview! Love Top Chef and love Padma! Should be a fun read.

    Reply
  14. LynneT says

    07.14.2016 at 9:24 am

    I’m a big fan of Padma, love watching her on Top Chef. Thanks for the chance to win her book, I’m sure I’d enjoy reading it.

    Reply
  15. Betty says

    07.14.2016 at 2:12 pm

    Yay!!! I love her and your blog

    Reply
  16. Echia says

    07.14.2016 at 4:09 pm

    Congrats on such a fun interview! I liked your unique questions.

    Reply
  17. Darla says

    07.14.2016 at 9:58 pm

    Looks like a fun read

    Reply
  18. Heather says

    07.17.2016 at 7:48 am

    Makes me feel like I’m doing something right on dinner night, at least occasionally. Taco Night is the best! Love the interview and need this book!

    Reply
  19. Jennai says

    07.18.2016 at 4:26 am

    I would love to add this to my collection!

    Reply
  20. judith says

    07.18.2016 at 1:22 pm

    i’d love to read this

    Reply

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