[PAR] [TLE] Padma Lakshmi [SEP] Padma Lakshmi (] ; born Padma Parvati Lakshmi Vaidynathan; September 1, 1970) is an Indian-born American author, actress, model, television host and executive producer.  Her debut cookbook "Easy Exotic" won her the "Best First Book" award at the 1999 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.  She has been the host of the US reality television program "Top Chef" since season two in 2006, for which she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program.  In 2010, "Top Chef" won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program.  Her debut memoir "Love, Loss and What We Ate" was released on International Women's Day, March 8, 2016. [PAR] [TLE] Top Chef (season 14) [SEP] Top Chef: Charleston is the fourteenth season of the American reality television series "Top Chef".  The season was announced by Bravo on October 13, 2016, which premiered on December 1, 2016, and concluded on March 2, 2017.  Filming initially took place in Charleston, South Carolina, beginning in May 2016, while the season's final episodes were filmed in areas across Mexico, including Guadalajara and the Yucatán Peninsula.  "Top Chef: Charleston" featured eight new contestants competing against eight returning contestants from previous seasons. " MasterChef" and "Top Chef Masters" alumnus Graham Elliot debuted as a recurring judge, alongside returning judges Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio, and Gail Simmons.  In the season finale, "" runner-up Brooke Williamson was declared the Top Chef, defeating "" finalist Shirley Chung.  "Top Chef: Seattle" finalist Sheldon Simeon received the Fan Favorite Award, marking his second Fan Favorite win.
[PAR] [TLE] Padma Lakshmi [ SEP ] Padma Lakshmi ( ] ; born Padma Parvati Lakshmi Vaidynathan ; September 1 , 1970 ) is an Indian - born American author , actress , model , television host and executive producer . Her debut cookbook " Easy Exotic " won her the " Best First Book " award at the 1999 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards . She has been the host of the US reality television program " Top Chef " since season two in 2006 , for which she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality - Competition Program . In 2010 , " Top Chef " won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality - Competition Program . Her debut memoir " Love , Loss and What We Ate " was released on International Women 's Day , March 8 , 2016 . [PAR] [TLE] Top Chef ( season 14 ) [ SEP ] Top Chef : Charleston is the fourteenth season of the American reality television series " Top Chef " . The season was announced by Bravo on October 13 , 2016 , which premiered on December 1 , 2016 , and concluded on March 2 , 2017 . Filming initially took place in Charleston , South Carolina , beginning in May 2016 , while the season 's final episodes were filmed in areas across Mexico , including Guadalajara and the Yucatán Peninsula . " Top Chef : Charleston " featured eight new contestants competing against eight returning contestants from previous seasons . " MasterChef " and " Top Chef Masters " alumnus Graham Elliot debuted as a recurring judge , alongside returning judges Padma Lakshmi , Tom Colicchio , and Gail Simmons . In the season finale , " " runner - up Brooke Williamson was declared the Top Chef , defeating " " finalist Shirley Chung . " Top Chef : Seattle " finalist Sheldon Simeon received the Fan Favorite Award , marking his second Fan Favorite win .
What Indian-born American author was a judge in "Top Chef: Charleston"?
What Indian - born American author was a judge in " Top Chef : Charleston " ?
Padma Lakshmi
Padma Lakshmi