Don't know who she is, but I had a coat like that once, and I did not pull it off as well as she does in that photo.

Hey look at me I have on all white
Becuz im a cool chef with a scar on my arm!
I rock!

Barfy outfit. For all her money, she couldn't get a (yech) white or black purse? And those boots are way too Jessica Simpson.

@MissSamAdams: shes the host? from top chef.

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

I began to like her when I found out that she makes out with her ex-husband when she's drunk and bored. She sounds fun.

Why is she pretty? I truly do not get it. But I kind of love Top Chef.

Those boots were made for walkin'

Those boots are a bit fembot, and not in a good way.

@sweat87: Oh, she's NOT a chef. She's a model and a judge.

I love photos of people looking sincerely happy.

She makes that coat look fab...but I have never understood head to toe white in any circumstance other than wedding dresses and tailored (women) suits.

@blackbirdfly: Seriously????

If she's not an example of universal prettiness, I don't know who is.

@leMaldeTete: And a cookbook writer.

@sweat87: I've watched that show a handful of times and can honestly say that I've completely overlooked her. She looks like an ANTM contestant...Jaslene (I think that's her name?).

@leMaldeTete: how silly of me. i totally forgot that host's dont have to be relevant to the show at all. they just have to u know host it. that makes sense.

seacrest cant sing, that chic from so u think u can dance cant dance. etc.

I'm sure those boots cost a fortune but that crappy zipper makes them look kinda cheapo.

i wonder what her and rushdie's conversations were about. he talked about his experiences under a fatwa and helping to create an international indian voice. she discussed cooking and the merits of white patent leather boots in winter?

@MissSamAdams: so u think she looks like a transsexual?

Psh, Padma's annoying. Her intonation/cadence/whatever when she explains the challenges and stuff on Top Chef drives me fucking NUTS.
But she seems funny besides that. They once asked about the scar on her arm and she replied that she got it tiger hunting in Bengal. Totally poker faced.

"So gorge it doesn't matter that some of this came from under your bed, and the rest from Goodwill. MWAH HAH HAH!"

@Pinkosaurus: Yeahyeah, that too. Barf.

@sweat87: I know, I mean are you INSANE??! Pshhh, actual knowledge is distracting and crass.

@sweat87: Ahahaha...that wouldn't be too far off.

She is actually a cook (i do not know about the chef title). She recently put out a cookbook; and while she is not Tom Colicchio, she is much more than the sex appeal Bravo needs for men (ahem, straight men) to watch Top Chef.

More importantly, she was married to Salman Rushdie. SalmanfuckingRushdie.

No, no, no to white boots unless your name is Nancy Sinatra.

@leMaldeTete: pour on the um.. models?

@MissSamAdams: lol not far at all.

@Pinkosaurus: Did you read that Vanity Fair profile? It was so good! I also learned that she swears a LOT - which I love. But still. I hate the outfit.

@mollyboo: Yeah, I know everyone thinks that. I can't figure out why I'm not on board. She just looks sooooo gaunt to me in the face.

I back her. Shes a way better host than Katie Lee Joel. And I think shed be an EXCELLENT party guest. :)

Again, living in Maine, I can never imagine the specific weather that be cold enough to make you put on a hideous full length down coat, but simultaneously warm enough that you would have bare legs.

Those boots were made for hookin'.

@mzsej: That's not really much of an accomplishment, dude's been married a whole bunch and is notorious for bedding hot young things.

@hamburgerhotdog: ...and that's just what they'll do...

Well I really don't know who this woman is but she looks pretty adorable to me. That's just going from this one picture though.

THose boots are awful

melikey

@mzsej: SalmanfuckingRushdie.

Fucking amazing, yeah? I recently caught him on Bill Maher's show. Salmon's hot in a cerebral sort of way. I'd do him.

I was going to knock her too, without knowing anything at all, but now having read all of your comments, I kinda want to be her if/when I grow up. Think she'd adopt?

@mzsej: Hmmm, where does she cook? I'm willing to admit I'm misinformed...

This is unfortunate here. Such a pretty lady, but this is fashion non-sense!

I luurve Padma Lakshmi. She is my biggest crush. ... tiger hunting in Bengal... Ha!

I missed the Top Chef where she talked about her scar. Does anyone know what it's from? It makes her look totally badass.

She has the exact same features as Angelina Jolie.

She erks me in a big way because it seems as if the editors of Top Chef have to edit. all. her. words. together. because. she. can't. form. an. intelligent. sentence.

That said I hate her stupid pout that she does. so put on.

Actually, she talked about it on that Tim Gunn's Guide to Style show. Regardless, I missed it. Anyone see it?

What are you naysayers talking about?! Sweater dresses are the best! and the coat is, well, practical.

@ThisIsWhy:

scar was from a car accident. I think she said she won't have it fixed because it makes her "who she is" or something like that. Personally I think she does it for the edgy attention.

I hate the way the contestants on the show always seem annoyed that she's judging them because she's not a "chef". Her cookbook is a lot more interesting than most of their food. I've worked as a chef and I hate the restaurant chef arrogant testosterone bravado that even terrible cooks like to affect. So....I think Padma's cool basically.

@leMaldeTete: LOL, I was just thinking "go-go girl assassin..."

@miele: I think there's something to be said for having experience as a chef, in judging other chefs. As you must too, seeing as how you referenced your own credentials.

As a woman working in the food biz, I, too, hate the arrogance and bravado of (male) chefs. But, I also hate Padma for posing for pictures like this, which doesn't exactly help change the boys' club attitude:

[gawker.com]

Great smile.. Tacky outfit.. Nice dress... Hooker boots! Famous because she is/was married to the dude that wrote the Satanic Verses.. Salmon Rushdie..

NOT a chef either..

she the kimora lee simmons of india

@SidheDragon: Me too. Me too.

She is also notoriously foul-mouthed, and her marriage to Rushdie was known for its drama. I found that out, and I couldn't believe she was the same woman because they really do seem to dillute her on "Top Chef". I barely notice her on the show.

Sob.

her scar? in an interview (forget prog./mag.) she did mention getting the scar from a car accident. but she also said she was embarrassed by it & allowed it to be covered when she modeled -- until helmut newton told her the scar made her special so now she loves to display it.

I find Padma's speaking voice unbearable; she sounds pretentious & stoned/drugged.