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Padma Lakshmi Claps Back at Food Influencers for Bashing Michelin-Starred Indian Restaurant!

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Food personality Padma Lakshmi has stepped up to support a popular Southern Indian eatery in New York City, following some unfavorable reviews from a couple of influential food critics.

In response to The VIP List’s critical review of Semma in the West Village, the TV host and cookbook writer didn’t shy away from expressing their opinions, as Semma is currently the only Indian eatery in New York City boasting a Michelin star.

The events unfolded after Meg Radice and Audrey Jongen, with a cumulative following of approximately 600,000 on TikTok and Instagram, criticized the Michelin Guide, a well-known restaurant evaluation resource that primarily assesses eateries based on food quality rather than atmosphere or service.

She begins the video by expressing her skepticism about the Michelin system, saying something like, “Here’s the truth behind it…” or “Let me explain my doubts about the Michelin system…

‘Off the top of my head, I can think of 15 superior Indian eateries, one of which is the biryani stand near my apartment.’

As a passionate admirer of Semma’s culinary delights, let me share my surprise when I stumbled upon an unfamiliar dish on their menu – the ‘tiki masala’. Now, before you think I’ve lost my bearings, allow me to clarify that I was under the impression this was a Southern Indian restaurant. Yet, the term ‘tikka masala’ seemed suspiciously North Indian to me. A delightful confusion, I must say!

She went on to complain why all the dishes she tried were ‘drowned in this mystery sauce.’ 

After accidentally getting sauce in her eye, the critic jokingly admitted that she momentarily felt like Helen Keller, struggling to see. She then humorously stated, “Normally, I can’t get enough of oxtail, but in this case, I chose to abstain.

In summary, the review of the VIP List stated that while there were no major issues, nothing stood out as exceptional, leaving me puzzled about the widespread excitement surrounding it. If you’re disappointed, I’m sorry.

Soon after a slew of people took to the comments section to blast the duo’s review.

One individual expressed that the video was extremely low-quality by saying ‘This video is incredibly tacky’, while another person pointed out the aggressive tone in the narration by asking ‘Why does she sound so angry with us?’

There were a number of people mystified by her use of ‘mystery sauce.’ 

‘Do you not try to find out anything about the culture/food you’re partaking in??’ one questioned.

It seems questionable to trust your opinion about an Indian restaurant if you use terms like ‘tiki masala,’ as this phrase is not typically associated with authentic Indian cuisine and appears to have caused confusion among commenters.

Lakshmi, with her extensive knowledge of food, didn’t take notice of the video until over three weeks had passed.

On Thursday, I stepped onto my TikTok platform to discuss a rather bothersome video that had been brought to my notice.

Lakshmi shared that she usually avoids getting entangled in minor matters, yet finds it difficult not to react or even comment,” she continued, then shifted her attention to the video from The VIP List.

As a devoted admirer, I can confidently say that I believe Michelin might not be overly concerned about personal opinions, whether it’s yours or anyone else’s, and definitely not about food preferences.

She suggested, “Before you criticize other cuisines so harshly, it might be beneficial to learn a bit more about them. Perhaps even try to pronounce the dishes you’re judging correctly. There isn’t any ‘tiki’ in Indian cuisine, neither in the North or South.

A native of Madras, India, who has served as a host and judge on Top Chef from 2006 to 2023, expressed to The VIP List: “Just wanted to mention that Semma isn’t catered towards you; it’s not. It’s designed for us.

Lakshmi concluded with certainty that even if only people of South Asian origin were to visit from now on, the place would remain fully booked for the next ten years.

It appears you are kind young ladies. My opinion of you is based on the way you form your opinions. I would advise that you take some extra time to investigate before making negative comments, if possible. Just a suggestion for you.

There was a tremendous amount of backing for Padma’s reaction video, as numerous individuals recognized her expertise in food, particularly Indian dishes, while criticizing The VIP List.

One fan expressed that if Padma Lakshmi were to pull them like this, they would shut down their account and retreat to a remote cabin off the grid.

There were others who agreed with posts like: ‘Tell them about themselves, Padma!!’

Another user returned to The VIP List’s TikTok account and posted, ‘Padma Lakshmi has weighed in. It’s time to wrap things up and call it a day.’

Apart from being a long-standing host and judge on Top Chef (from 2006 to 2023), she is also the star of the travel and culinary documentary series Taste The Nation With Padma Lakshmi, which began in 2020.

Over the course of her professional life, she has authored two cookbooks titled “Easy Exotic” (published in 1999) and “Tangy, Tart, Hot and Sweet” (released in 2007). Additionally, she has written a culinary book entitled “The Encyclopedia of Spices and Herbs: A Comprehensive Guide to Global Flavors,” which was published in 2016.

Following her sharp response, the women from The VIP List appeared unfazed by her video, clarifying the rationale behind their Instagram activities.

In their viewpoint, social media platforms empower us to highlight what we find remarkable and criticize it when it falls short. They emphasized that if a location doesn’t appeal to us, it’s not scandalous; instead, it becomes content, commentary, or even satire.

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2025-04-06 05:04

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