Padma Lakshmi Exiting 'Top Chef' Following Season 20

Padma Lakshmi is sending shock waves through the Top Chef community today after announcing that she will no longer be returning to the show after the current season wraps up.

The 52-year-old TV personality announced the unexpected news with a social media post on Friday, June 2, where she made the sad revelation that season 20 will be her last.

"After much soul searching, I have made the difficult decision to leave Top Chef," Lakshmi, who is also an executive producer on the show, wrote via Instagram. "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 of the impact it has had in the worlds of television and food."

"After 17 years, many of the cast and crew are like family to me and I will miss working alongside them dearly,"  she continued. "I feel it's time to move on and need to make space for Taste the Nation, my books and other creative pursuits."

"I am deeply thankful to all of you for so many years of love and support," her statement concluded.

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Despite the disappointing news, Lakshmi's fans and friends still flocked to the comments to lend their support, including former Top Chef producer and veteran TV host Andy Cohen, who called Lakshmi's tenure on the cooking competition series "an incredible run."

"End of an era," Cohen wrote under Friday's post. "You were such an amazing partner and a BRILLIANT host. I have such great memories of our TC days ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️."

One of Lakshmi's fans chimed in to say, "we’re so lucky to have had experienced you bringing so much of yourself and your soul and energy to this space," while another person perfectly summed things up, called her an "ICON. QUEEN. GAMECHANGER."