‘Top Chef’ announces new host Kristen Kish to replace Padma Lakshmi

Bravo has revealed that Kristen Kish, the winner of season 10 of “Top Chef,” will become the show’s next host and replace Padma Lakshmi, who announced her shocking departure last month.

Kish will join Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons at the judges’ table for season 21 in Wisconsin, the network said Tuesday.

“‘Top Chef’ is where I started my journey — first as a competing chef, then a guest judge and now as host I have the honor of helping to continue to build this brand,” Kish wrote in a statement. “I’m thrilled to sit alongside Gail and Tom as we get to know new incredible chefs and see what they cook up. It feels like coming home.”

Kish’s contribution to the show was highlighted by Ryan Flynn, who serves as senior vice president of current production for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming.

Kish “represents everything that makes ‘Top Chef’ incredibly special,” Flynn said in a statement. “She’s an acclaimed chef and her experience as a cheftestant, winner and judge, alongside her culinary curiosity, makes Kristen the perfect host for the next chapter of ‘Top Chef’ as we take on a new region of the country we haven’t explored.”

The announcement comes less than six weeks after longtime host Padma Lakshmi revealed she was leaving the show after hosting for 19 seasons.

“I’m so proud of you @KristenLKish and am over the moon that you’ll be taking over for me on @BravoTopChef!!!” Lakshmi wrote on Twitter Tuesday, alongside a picture of her and Kish. “I’ll be rooting for you and our whole crew next season. Congratulations!!!”

While announcing her departure last month, Lakshmi explained she wanted to focus more of her time on her Hulu culinary show, “Taste the Nation,” along with her books and other creative pursuits.