'Top Chef' Announces Kristen Kish As New Host Starting With Season 21

Bravo has named the new host of "Top Chef" Kristen Kish. Kish was revealed as the new host of the culinary reality competition series starting with Season 21. You can check out the latest preview revealing Kish as the show's new host below.

https://twitter.com/BravoTopChef/status/1678843867242668032

As previously reported by The Blast, Padma Lakshmi announced her exit from the hit reality franchise in June. She'd been a part of the show for 17 years and 19 seasons. She first joined the show during Season 2, also serving as an executive producer.

Kish was the winner of Season 10 of the Bravo series. She later served as a guest judge on several occasions. Season 21 will be held in Wisconsin, primarily in Milwaukee and Madison. Judges for Season 21 will include Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons.

In a video statement from Bravo on her new appointment as host, Kish stated, "I am so thrilled to be coming back to 'Top Chef' as your new host. Season 10 was a long time ago. I competed back then and have since returned to guest judge." She continued, "Coming back in this new way is new and exciting. It's also familiar and feels like a homecoming and a full-circle moment for me."

Kish added, "I am most excited to know an incredible group of chefs, to sit alongside Tom and Gail, and to be reunited with many friends that are on and off camera in the production. So, I'm at a loss for words, still a little bit, but I promise I'll find those come Season 21 as we are all introduced to an incredible new bunch of chefs all vying for the title of Top Chef. So, I will see you in Season 21."

https://twitter.com/BravoTopChef/status/1678853987750084609

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the search for a new host was looking for previous competitors of "Top Chef" who had other on-camera experience. That made Kish the frontrunner for the series. Kish is also the host and producer of National Geographic's "Restaurants at the End of the World," she also co-hosted Netflix's "Iron Chefk: Quest for an Iron Legend." She's also appeared on TruTV's "Fast Foodies."

The departing Lakshmi offered high praise and kind words for Kish as he joins the show as the new host, congratulating the former contest. She wrote on her Twitter account on the announcement, "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!!!" 

https://twitter.com/PadmaLakshmi/status/1678843955478249472

Besides her work on other food and culinary-themed television shows, Kish owns Arlo Grey at The Line Hotel in Austin, Texas. "Top Chef" is executive produced by Casey Kriley, Jo Sharon, Doneen Arquines, Hillary Olsen, and Tracy Tong.

Season 21 of "Top Chef" does not yet have an official debut date, but Bravo announced in the preview that it will debut on the network later in 2024. All 20 of the previous season of the culinary reality competition show are available to stream now on Peacock.