Padma Lakshmi Says Daughter Krishna, 16, Has 'Annoying' Eating Habit

The Top Chef host revealed her daughter often orders Taco Bell instead of eating her homemade meals.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Padma Lakshmi, the host of Top Chef, shared that her 16-year-old daughter Krishna has an 'annoying' habit when it comes to food. Lakshmi said that even when she makes Krishna a nice meal, her daughter will often order Taco Bell on Uber and eat it in her room, avoiding the homemade food. Lakshmi admitted she doesn't think it's fair that she has to 'compete with Taco Bell' for her daughter's meals.

Why it matters

Lakshmi's comments highlight the challenges many parents face when trying to get their teenage children to eat healthy, home-cooked meals. As kids become more independent, they often develop their own food preferences that don't always align with their parents' wishes, leading to conflicts and frustrations.

The details

Lakshmi revealed that while Krishna is not a 'fussy eater,' she is 'more annoying than that.' The TV host said that even when she prepares a nice meal like carbonara or a salad that she knows Krishna likes, her daughter will still order Taco Bell on Uber and eat it in her room so Lakshmi doesn't even know. Lakshmi said she doesn't think it's fair that she has to 'compete with Taco Bell' for her daughter's meals.

  • Lakshmi made these comments during a March 4, 2026 appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark.

The players

Padma Lakshmi

The 55-year-old host of the TV show Top Chef and mother of 16-year-old daughter Krishna.

Krishna Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi's 16-year-old daughter who has a habit of ordering Taco Bell instead of eating her mother's homemade meals.

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What they’re saying

“She's not a fussy eater, she's more annoying than that, I will admit. I will make her a really nice meal and I think, 'Oh, I know she likes this. It's carbonara, it's a salad.' And then she's like, 'Oh, sorry mom, I already ordered Taco Bell.'”

— Padma Lakshmi, Top Chef Host (Live with Kelly and Mark)

“She orders it on Uber, she'll get it and she'll go straight to her bedroom so I won't even know. I don't think that's fair. I don't think I should have to compete with Taco Bell.”

— Padma Lakshmi, Top Chef Host (Live with Kelly and Mark)

The takeaway

Padma Lakshmi's comments highlight the challenges many parents face in getting their teenage children to eat healthy, home-cooked meals instead of fast food. As kids become more independent, they often develop their own food preferences that don't always align with their parents' wishes, leading to conflicts and frustrations in the household.