Padma Lakshmi poses for a Los Angeles Times photo shoot in 2011. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Padma Lakshmi is selling frozen food at Costco. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Padma Lakshmi, author and host of “Top Chef,” attends a media conference in New York City on Nov. 20, 2014. (Slaven Vlasic / Getty Images)
Padma Lakshmi at the 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Padma Lakshmi at the 2013 Primetime Emmys at Nokia Theatre. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
