Padma Lakshmi opens up about leaving 'Top Chef': It wasn't 'sustainable' anymore

"This was a really tough decision," said Padma Lakshmi, seconds before announcing the winner of "Top Chef: World All Stars" during Thursday's season finale.

The sentiment also applies to last week's bombshell news that the 20th season of Bravo's reality series would be the Emmy-nominated host and executive producer's last.

"After much soul searching, I have made the difficult decision to leave 'Top Chef,'" Lakshmi shared on Instagram. "I am extremely proud to have been part of building such a successful show and of the impact it has had in the worlds of television and food."

The news came as a shock to many "Top Chef" fans, for whom Lakshmi's presence on the cooking competition has been as central to its acclaimed run as that of head judge and celebrity chef Tom Colicchio or ingenious, perennial challenges such as the mise-en-place relay or Restaurant Wars.

One of the few Indian American women on television throughout her 19-season tenure, Lakshmi became known for her low-key banter, love of bold flavors and fearsome critiques of chefs who dared to try Indian dishes and fell short. In the process, along with multiple cookbooks, a memoir, her acclaimed Hulu docuseries "Taste the Nation" and more, she established herself as one of the most influential figures in American food.

Days after her announcement, Lakshmi got on a video call with the L.A. Times from her home office in New York City. Over a warm bowl of ribollita and with her dog Davina by her side, she divulged what spurred her sudden exit, which chefs prepared her most memorable meals, who she'd like to emcee "Top Chef" next and how her 17-year run on the culinary competition set the table for what's ahead. The following conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

Q: How have you been feeling since making the announcement last week?

A: I feel