⁠Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi makes her NYT Games debut 

Padma Lakshmi just made it into the New York Times Mini Crossword. The clue was “Lakshmi of ‘Top Chef,’” and the answer was “PADMA.”

It’s a small clue, but a big cultural nod. Padma Lakshmi isn’t just a TV host; she’s a food world icon. She led Top Chef for 17 seasons before stepping away in 2023 and became almost inseparable from the brand association. Now, she’s busy with new projects, including a cookbook in the works. But her legacy on Top Chef is hard to miss.

The show kicked off in 2006 and quickly became a staple of reality food TV. Chefs competed in high-pressure challenges. Judges were tough. And Padma Lakshmi was the face of it all.

For nearly two decades, she helped turn cooking into compelling TV. Now, she’s showing up in crosswords and proving her name still has flavor.

Padma Lakshmi’s Mini Crossword appearance and what her journey looks like

The New York Times Mini Crossword featured Padma Lakshmi in its Monday puzzle, highlighting her lasting influence in popular culture. The puzzle used a straightforward clue format that immediately identified her with the show that made her a household name.

The Mini Crossword represents a more accessible version of the traditional New York Times puzzle. It offers players a quicker, bite-sized challenge compared to the full crossword. Unlike the main puzzle, the mini version is free to play without requiring a Times subscription.

Lakshmi announced her departure from Top Chef in 2023 after two decades with the show. She handed hosting duties to Kristen Kish, who now leads the program.

"After much soul searching, I have made the difficult decision to leave Top Chef," Lakshmi wrote on Instagram at the time.

Elaborating:

"Having completed a glorious 20th season as host and executive producer, I am extremely proud to have been part of building such a successful show and the impact it has had in the worlds of television and food."

She continued:

"After 17 years, many of the cast and crew are like family to me and I will miss working alongside them dearly. I feel it's time to move on."

Padma Lakshmi has channeled her energy into fresh ventures, including her upcoming cookbook, "Padma's All American: Tales, Travels, and Recipes from Taste the Nation and Beyond." The book launches November 4 and features her daughter Krishna as a collaborator.

Krishna, nicknamed "Little Hands," helped test recipes and appears in the cookbook.

"Krishna has her own recipe in there, and you can also see in the photos how she's grown just in the years it took me to put this book together. This book is a scrapbook of our lives in food over the last six-seven years," Lakshmi told People magazine.

The cookbook draws from her experiences hosting "Taste the Nation" and explores diverse American cuisine.

"I've always thought the most exciting pockets of American food are in immigrant enclaves," she explained.

Elaborating:

"American food is more regional than folks realize and what makes it so great are all these influences on our national cuisine."

Padma’s personal life and what lies ahead

Padma Lakshmi continues balancing her career with motherhood. Her daughter Krishna recently turned 15, prompting a heartfelt social media tribute from the proud mother.

Her appearance in the Times crossword signals her enduring cultural relevance beyond television hosting. As she explores new creative outlets, Lakshmi maintains her position as a significant voice in food media and entertainment.

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Padma Lakshmi is currently focused on her upcoming cookbook, Padma’s All American, set to publish November 4, 2025, and developing a new culinary competition series, American Culinary Cup, for CBS.