Padma Lakshmi: We’ve Forgotten the Beauty of a Home-Cooked Meal

Early on in my career on Top Chef, I felt I had to better educate myself on restaurants and their food. I went excitedly to as many restaurants as possible, and when I traveled, I tried my best to canvass each city’s dining scene. I was privileged to be able to get a reservation at some of the world’s best fine-dining establishments, and so I reveled in this new power, to eat where I wanted, whenever I wanted.