Padma Lakshmi: Telling True Story of Diverse America With Food, Activism and Facts

Padma Lakshmi (left) at Chicago Humanities Festival with interviewer Ahmed Ali Akbar.

“Every human being has a compelling story to tell.”

Padma Lakshmi, 55, international best-selling author, Emmy-award nominated host of “Top Chef” and creator of the James Beard-award winning show, “Taste The Nation,” told the appreciative audience at the recent Chicago Humanities Festival, “For many of us, we see our story told. Unearthing true stories is all we can do.”

“Every human being has a compelling story to tell,” @PadmaLakshmi @chihumanities @TopChef ”

On a national tour for her latest book, (her sixth), Padma’s All American, Lakshmi is the epitome of an enterprising, creative entrepreneur who strives to bring all her talents to different industries, while highlighting her identity as a South Asian immigrant and a devotee of inclusive information and access for all to the life and work they imagine.

As she told interviewer Ahmed Ali Akbar, a food and culture writer, her latest book of stories and recipes from Indigenous peoples and underrepresented communities, is an attempt to highlight and celebrate the diversity that makes America what it is. Inclusivity is what great leaders do.

“For many of us who have grown up here, and paid taxers, we are told constantly we are not as American as other Americans,” says Lakshmi who came to the U.S. for India with her mother, when she was toddler.

Her book is in alignment with her popular series, “Taste The Nation,” where she travels the country in search of little known communities with food traditions not in the mainstream.

”I wanted to do a show that demonstrates people have a place in the future featuring original Americans, indigenous people. There is a food history of this is country that is thousands of years old,” Lakshmi says.

“There is a food history of this is country that is thousands of years old,” says @PadmaLakshmi @topchef @chihumanities #culinary #leadership ”

An immigrant to the U.S. along with her mother, Lakshmi acknowledges Immigration is a political lightning rod.

According to Migration Policy Institute research, “Both the size and share of immigrants in the U.S. population stood at record highs as of 2024, the most recent year for which data are available. The immigrant population numbered slightly more than 50.2 million people, or 14.8 percent of the country's 340.1 million residents. The only prior period in U.S. history when the immigrant share was as high was in 1890, when it also stood at 14.8 percent.”

A former model, and graduate of Clark University in Lowell, Mass., she says, “There are certain things about food in America that can only happen in America. American food is the most exciting food in the world because it is a microcosm of the world’s flavors. American culture has a history of taking in those who need it.”

Her career as well as her activism on immigration rights for the ACLU is about shredding disinformation and shedding light on the rights of immigrants and women in every aspect of life in the U.S. Community media done locally by those who understand the area and culture is critical, as is preserving and sharing local cultures of food.

“I am trying to look at the giant issue of immigration in different episodes of it. America is a vast country that is regional. When everyone looks like you, you are wary because of a lack of diverse information,” Lakshmi says.

“I am trying to look at the giant issue of #immigration in different #episodes of it. America is a vast country that is regional. When everyone looks like you, you are wary because of a lack of diverse information,” @PadmaLakshmi says. #diversity #immigration”

Storytelling and accurate journalism from diverse sources are solutions to discord, she says.

“Journalism is the unsung hero of our collective history,” says Lakshmi, who in addition to her books and broadcast productions, has launched a fine jewelry collection, a home décor brand and culinary products including herbs and teas. She is the co-founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America, as she suffered from the disease.

Even though Lakshmi has disparate enterprises and endeavors, her mission is to tell the stories of peoples, cultures, experiences and communities with the goal of not just tolerance, but welcoming inclusion and cohesion. Just as all enterprising leaders need to do.

Though she is not a professionally trained chef, she has spent years in the culinary industry, she says. “I have a really sensitive palate; that is my superpower.”

The restaurant, foodservice and culinary industry in the U.S. is indeed gendered. According to Forbes, “Women occupy only 6.3% of the head chef positions at prominent U.S. restaurant groups, whereas 6.6% of Fortune 500 CEOs are female. And if you think this is just an issue at the most elite levels of both industries, consider that 21% of head chefs in the U.S. are female, compared to the 27.6% of chief executives who are female according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.”

“Women occupy 6.3% of the head chef positions at prominent U.S. restaurant groups. 21% of head chefs in U.S. are female. #gendergap #restaurantindustry ”

Additionally, Forbes reports, “This is even graver given that 51% of students at the Culinary Institute of America are female, implying the difficult career trajectory faced by female chefs once after they join the hospitality industry.”

Allegations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse have followed several men at the top of the restaurant industry. The New York Times reports that the creator of Noma, the top-rated restaurant in the world, Rene Redzepi, has reportedly physically abused his staff for years and he recently resigned.

Other sexual assault and harassment scandals have involved culinary celebrities Graham Elliot, Mario Batali, Mike Isabella and John Besh.

“The creator of @Noma, the top-rated restaurant in the world, Rene Redzepi, has reportedly physically abused his staff for years and he recently resigned. #harassment #restaurantindustry”

The male-dominated culinary industry is definitely difficult for women and particularly women of color to navigate and rise to the top.

The Week recently reported, “A 2022 report found that of the 2,286 Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, only 6% were led by women.”

The Week reports, "For every female-led Michelin-starred establishment, there are 16 run by men," said professional organization Worldchefs.

Historically, the separation of men and women as creators and consumers in the food industry runs deep.

Researchers at Boston University found, “Two types of restaurant were dominated by women in the early 20th century: cafeterias and tea rooms. Women owned, managed, and entirely staffed many of the first cafeterias, some of which developed out of women’s semi-philanthropic lunch clubs. For these reasons cafeterias were initially regarded as women’s eating places and were shunned by men, who supposedly disliked serving themselves and carrying trays.”

The research shows, “Many women who ran cafeterias, such as Nola Treat and Lenore Richards of the Richards-Treat cafeteria in Minneapolis, came out of home economics careers as teachers or managers of school or factory cafeterias. Being college-educated and native-born, such business women stood in stark contrast to the many restaurant operators who were foreign-born and without much formal education.”

The evolution of individuals born of different cultures infiltrating the U.S. restaurant and culinary universe is ongoing—as it is reflected in the U.S. population.

The Census Bureau reports that in 2020, the “White alone non-Hispanic population decreased from 63.7% in 2010 to 57.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population was the second-largest racial or ethnic group, comprising 18.7% of the total population. The Black or African American alone non-Hispanic population was the third-largest group at 12.1%. The most diverse state in the U.S. is Hawaii with a diversity index of 77.7%.

Lakshmi says she grew up in New York City watching Julia Child on television, and didn’t realize that the biggest part of her life’s work would be in the culinary industry. As a brown woman, she did not see that as readily available to her. But she is part of that cultural change.

“@PadmaLakshmi grew up watching @JuliaChild, and didn’t realize as a brown woman, the biggest part of her life’s work would be in the #culinary industry. ”

According to QSR Magazine, “Today, women are recognized as strong leaders, advocates for collaboration, and champions of research and development, all of which drive employee retention and customer loyalty. In an industry that depends on service and hospitality, these qualities create lasting businesses that thrive for many years to come.”

The numbers demonstrating the gender gap are improving.

“While men continue to dominate ownership and leadership roles in the restaurant industry, 54 percent of restaurant and foodservice employees are female, yet women own only about 34 percent of restaurants in the U.S. Franchising offers a proven and viable path, making it a great entry point for female entrepreneurs to step into ownership with reduced risks,” QSR reports.

Until 2007, Lakshmi was married to legendary author Salman Rushdie, when they ended their eight-year relationship.

Now a single mother of Krishna, her teenage daughter with partner Adam Dell, from whom she is separated, Lakshmi says she struggles with her own cultural identity and passing that along to Krishna.

“I feel everyday that I am not Asian enough or American enough. Then I am not South Indian or Hindi enough. I do feel at times I am at a loss.”

“@PadmaLakshmi added, “America is a cornucopia of wonder and delight, but it must be stewarded by open-minded people.” @chihumanities @takeleadwomen ”

Lakshmi added, “America is a cornucopia of wonder and delight, but it must be stewarded by open-minded people.”

Take The Lead’s Power Up Conference 2026, Audacity: Leadership In Action features a diverse group of speakers and experts speaking on the importance of inclusive leadership and strategies to solve systemic and historical barriers.

Featured

About the Author

Michele Weldon is editorial director of Take The Lead, an award-winning author, journalist, emerita faculty in journalism at Northwestern University and a senior leader with The OpEd Project. @micheleweldon www.micheleweldon.com