Padma Lakshmi to Host New Cooking Competition Series ‘America’s Culinary Cup,’ Two Years After Leaving ‘Top Chef’

Padma Lakshmi is returning to the returning to the world of high-stakes kitchen competitions with her new series “America’s Culinary Cup.”

The new show will air on CBS during the 2025-2026 broadcast season and feature “the nation’s most decorated chefs” as they face off in a “one-of-a-kind competition designed to challenge their creativity, endurance, presentation, leadership and more,” per the logline.

Lakshmi serves as host and creator, and she executive produces alongside Susan Rovner. “We’re inviting elite chefs from across the country to represent their unique culinary style and battle it out,” said Lakshmi. “This competition echoes the thrill of sports and the American spirit as we cheer on our favorite chefs. I’m very excited to work with CBS and partner with Susan on ‘America’s Culinary Cup.’”

Lakshmi is an accomplished chef and TV personality who hosted Bravo’s “Top Chef” for 19 seasons, from 2006 to 2023. She departed from that series in 2023, saying she wanted to “make space” for her other series, “Taste the Nation,” as well as her books and “other creative pursuits.” She told Variety in 2023 that “Top Chef” required her to be on location for eight months out of the year, which was “exhausting and untenable.”

“I’m leaving the show at a very high point, in very capable hands. Now, it’s time for me to challenge myself creatively,” Lakshmi said.

Through hosting and executive producing “Top Chef” and “Taste the Nation,” Lakshmi received 16 Emmy nominations.

“America’s Culinary Cup” is produced by Lakshmi via her Delicious Entertainment, and Rovner for Aha Studios.