Key Highlights
- Puja “Padma” Lakshmi has been open about her bond with Top Chef winner Melissa King.
- Lakshmi and King wore joint The Addams Family costumes for a group Halloween costume event.
- King noted that she is also close to other Top Chef contestants including Gregory Gourdet, Kwame Onwuachi, and Kristen Kish.
- The article details the relationship between Lakshmi and King from their time on Top Chef to King’s recent cookbook release in September 2025.
Padma Lakshmi and Melissa King: A Bond Beyond the Kitchen
Longtime friends Padma Lakshmi, a renowned chef and television personality, and Melissa King, a Top Chef alum who won in season 17 in 2020, have shared their deep bond through both professional achievements and personal moments. This article delves into their relationship from the culinary world to their social life.
A Shared History on Top Chef
Padma Lakshmi, a seasoned chef and host of several cooking shows including “Top Chef,” has always highlighted her friendship with Melissa King. Speaking to People Magazine on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Lakshmi expressed her fondness for King: “Melissa is somebody whose cooking I always loved.” She continued, “She’s fun and we enjoy each other’s company. She tends to be my plus one sometimes so people will see us on the red carpet together.”
Both women have since become close friends with other Top Chef contestants such as Gregory Gourdet, Kwame Onwuachi, and Kristen Kish. Lakshmi noted, “So there’s quite a few of them, but these guys seem to be in New York the most,” highlighting their frequent social interactions.
Joint Halloween Costume Event
The bond between Lakshmi and King was further solidified during a group Halloween costume event. Days after Lakshmi’s statement, the duo donned joint The Addams Family costumes for a fun night out. King dressed up as Gomez Addams while Lakshmi appeared as Morticia Addams.
Their other two friends joined them as Wednesday Addams and Lurch.
King expressed her gratitude and affection towards Lakshmi in an Instagram post, writing, “I would die for her. I would kill for her. 🥀🖤-Gomez Paddams,” along with a video of the four friends celebrating Halloween together. This event showcases their strong camaraderie both on and off screen.
Personal Achievements: King’s New Cookbook
Melissa King, who initially starred in season 12 of Top Chef, has come full circle to share her culinary expertise through a new cookbook released in September 2025. The book titled “Cook Like a King” is a collection of Chinese California dishes inspired by her Shanghainese and Cantonese grandmothers, her mother Alice, and some from her time on Top Chef.
In an Instagram post, King expressed her gratitude for the support she received: “My first cookbook is finally here and I’m gonna cry! No one talks about just how long it takes to write a cookbook, this has been 3+ years in the making!” She also highlighted the collaborative effort behind the book, mentioning her publishers at @tenspeedpress, co-writer JJ Goode, agent @sabrinataitz, and others who contributed to its creation.
King’s journey from a Top Chef contestant to a published author exemplifies her growth in the culinary world and her enduring friendship with Lakshmi. This collaboration not only showcases their professional achievements but also their personal connection through shared experiences and mutual support.
