'Top Chef' Announces Winner Kristen Kish as New Host

Last month, Padma Lakshmi shocked Top Chef fans when she revealed the then-airing 20th season would be her last. The host and judge had become the face of the franchise since she first appeared back in season 2. And in the wake of her announcement, many were wondering who could fill her shoes moving forward. Luckily, Bravo has found just the person: Kristen Kish.

The choice is keeping it in the Top Chef family. Kish won the show's tenth season back in 2012, notably the first chef to win after being eliminated and returning due to the new "Last Chance Kitchen" twist. Despite not putting the cheftestant apron back on like so many of her competitors, she used her time on Top Chef as a jumping off point to start a career as a culinary personality. To date she co-hosted the pilot season of Travel Channel's 36 Hours, as well as Netflix's Iron Chef revival in 2022. Most recently, she was the star of the National Geographic series Restaurants at the End of the World.

“Top Chef is where I started my journey – first as a competing chef, then a guest judge," Kish said in a statement. "Now as host, I have the honor of helping to continue to build this brand. I’m thrilled to sit alongside Gail and Tom as we get to know new incredible chefs and see what they cook up. It feels like coming home."

Related: Everything to Know About Top Chef Season 20

Lakshmi announced via social media on June 2 that Top Chef: World All-Stars, which would air its finale within that week, would be her last season on the show. "After much soul searching, I have made the difficult decision to leave Top Chef," she wrote on 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."

Though she has left the Quickfires behind, Lakshmi's career is thriving, and indeed she has outlined that as the reason why she decided to leave Top Chef. Her Hulu series Taste the Nation just premiered its second season on May 5, a travelogue show that highlights various cuisines and where they're housed around America. She was hugely celebratory of Kish taking her role, tweeting, "I’m so proud of you @KristenLKish and am over the moon that you’ll be taking over for me on @BravoTopChef!!! I’ll be rooting for you and our whole crew next season. Congratulations!!!"

The announcement from Bravo, though, didn't just reveal a new host. Season 21 of the Emmy-winning series will return to the United States and head to the midwest in Wisconsin. "We look forward to season 21 and know our incoming chefs will be inspired by the bourgeoning culinary scene in Milwaukee and Madison known for blending tradition with innovation and utilizing farm fresh ingredients," said Casey Kriley and Jo Sharon, co-CEOs of series producer Magical Elves. Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons will continue their tenure as judges and work alongside Kish for the season.

Next, check out our interview with Top Chef season 20 winner Buddha Lo.