I want Krishna to have a normal childhood: Padma Lakshmi

Her multi-layered repertoire of work in the fields of entertainment, food and the arts is intriguing. She’s dabbled in films, proved her mettle as a food writer and TV host and seems pretty comfortable being a single parent. Padma Lakshmi’s high-voltage food and TV career reached new heights, something which so many only dream of — be it her cookbook Easy Exotic, which won her the “Best First Book” award at the 1999 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards or being the host of the US Top Chef.

She also clinched a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program and 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. Over to the lady who believes in timeless style and has an affinity for couturier Tarun Tahiliani...

How do you interpret style? How would you describe your personal style? Which are the brands in India and internationally that you like?

While trends come and go, I think a woman who has true style is someone who’s timeless. Someone who’s able to blend things she acquired around the world over her lifetime and mix and match them with ease. Most of the interesting women I know don’t have a lot of time to primp and get dressed every day so they develop their own sense of style over the years and their personality comes out in their clothes. I still wear pieces that I acquired from over 20 years ago. I’m partial to designers like Chloe, Stella McCartney, Isabel Marant, and Burberry.

What inspired you to walk for Tarun Tahiliani at Lakmé Fashion Week? What is it about his aesthetic that appeals to you?

I’ve known Tarun for years and while I don’t spend a lot of time in India, he and I have always had an affinity for each other. His clothes are quite aspirational and the work is the best of what India has to offer.

Will you ever walk the ramp with your daughter as it’s a trend in India? 

No, my daughter already has a lot of attention focused on her because of who her mother is. When she grows up, if she wants the spotlight focused on her, that’s her decision. As it is the paparazzi follow us around in New York. I want Krishna to have as normal of a childhood as possible. She has her whole life to worry about fashion and what she looks like. Right now, I just want her to be a little girl.

What’s your first love — fashion or food? 

Since I was a little girl, I’ve always loved hanging around the kitchen with the women in my family, but the notion of food and femininity have always been intertwined for me. And I must say if I hadn’t had the career I’ve had as an international model, I would have never had the opportunity to travel to so many countries and sample the cuisines of the world. So, in a way, my life in fashion has furthered my career in food.

Since you’ve judged many food shows, what are your thoughts on blind food tasting?

It depends what you’re judging — if you’re not judging on appearance, obviously, it’s okay. But I think presentation is a big part of the success of a dish. That being said, I’ve eaten some really ugly dishes that have been absolutely delicious.

Will you venture into fashion designing in future?

After having my own fine jewellery company for several years, I think I’d like to just focus on my day job. I have enough to do as the host and executive producer of my show as well as keeping my writing up. As my daughter gets older I realise that time is a fleeting thing and I’d like to be more available to enjoy every day moments with her.

How has Indian food evolved over the years? What’s the perception of Indian food internationally?

When I was a child, you could only get good chaat in Delhi, you could only get good bhel in Mumbai, and you could only get good idlis and dosas down south. But as the Indian middle class has grown and had the opportunity to travel more, we see that the Indian food scene is alive and really exciting.

There’s some wonderful chefs doing incredible things in India. I think Indian food is definitely having a moment in America. In New York, which is the food capital of the world for us, there are several new Indian restaurants popping up to great success and it fills me with pride to finally be able to share regional Indian cooking with the rest of the world. Most people don’t realise how regional and different Indian food is from coast to coast.

How difficult is it being a single mother? How do you balance work with motherly responsibilities?

I guess I’m technically single but I have a very big circle of loved ones who contribute to Krishna’s upbringing. It is hard to balance everything but that would probably be true for any mother. While I’m single, I don’t feel alone and neither does she.

You were part of the Women’s March recently and posted pics on your Instagram. What are your thoughts on the current political climate in the US and the changes which Trump is bringing about?

It’s a dark time in the US and I for one did not vote for him. But being part of democracy means you don’t always get what you want either. On the other hand, I think Trump’s extremism has galvanised a lot of young people in the States and I believe that American society will go through another revolution as it did in the 60s so I still do have a lot of hope and when I go  back to the States soon, I intend to keep marching.