Padma Lakshmi’s Latest Cookbook is a ‘Love Letter’ to Immigrants

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Padma Lakshmi has been a prominent face on American cooking shows for over two decades, and she’s often associated with the language of food. After the 2016 election, feeling concerned about negative attitudes and policies towards immigrants, she decided to use her platform to create a new show. This show celebrates the diverse and delicious cuisines of immigrant and Indigenous communities throughout the United States.

Premiering in 2020 on Hulu, Taste the Nation follows Padma Lakshmi—an immigrant who moved to the U.S. from India as a child—as she travels across America to explore the diverse cultures that have influenced its food. The series, fittingly titled, features Lakshmi sampling Mexican food in Texas, Thai cuisine in Nevada, and Greek dishes in Florida. She considered the show a clever way to spark curiosity about American culture, its people, and its history, using food as an inviting entry point.

Even though the TV show Taste the Nation won’t be back for another season, its impact will continue with Padma Lakshmi’s new cookbook, Padma’s All American: Tales, Travels, and Recipes from Taste the Nation and Beyond, which will be released on November 4th. Lakshmi describes the book as a “love letter” to immigrants, especially in light of increased deportations and ICE raids. As an artist ambassador for the ACLU, Lakshmi hopes the cookbook will offer a positive counterpoint to negativity and help Americans connect with one another. She believes that by exploring different foods, people will be more open to getting to know their neighbors and bridging the growing divides within the country.

TIME interviewed Lakshmi about the importance of sharing immigrant narratives, her creative process for writing Padma’s All American, and her new cooking competition show, America’s Culinary Cup, which will debut on CBS on Wednesday, March 4th.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Your show, Taste the Nation, was partly influenced by your advocacy work with the ACLU on issues like immigrant and women’s rights. Looking back five years after it first aired, are you surprised by how relevant the show still is today?

It makes me sad when young people ask how to get involved in issues they care about, feeling lost about where to begin. I always tell them to focus on something they genuinely connect with, because that passion will come through. That’s why I created Taste the Nation – I wanted to combine my activism with my work in television. I thought a simple way to build understanding was to bring people together over food, encouraging them to connect with their neighbors and learn from each other.

Padma’s All American comes out very soon. How are you feeling?

I’m really thrilled this is finally being shared, but I’m also a bit anxious. I’ve seen how amazing this food is in certain communities, but I worry a lot of people won’t have tried it before, especially if they haven’t explored different cultural neighborhoods. The recipes themselves aren’t complicated, but some of the ingredients might seem a little strange or intimidating to those unfamiliar with them.

What would you say to people who feel that way?

Turn exploring new foods into a fun family activity! Pick a weekend and visit neighborhoods you don’t usually go to. Check out a Latin or Asian market, then try cooking a new dish at home with a friend or family member. The goal is to expand your culinary tastes by discovering the amazing foods immigrants have brought to our country over the years.

You often speak about food through the lens of family. Why is that important to you?

As a film buff, I always feel like a great meal in a movie isn’t just about the food – it’s about connection. You really can’t put your heart into cooking for someone you don’t genuinely care about, someone you don’t see as a person. Honestly, I don’t think the food would taste good if you didn’t have that connection. It’s such a fundamental act of caring – cooking for family, friends, even coworkers – it’s a simple way to nurture someone.

Your daughter, Krishna, appears in photos and stories throughout the book. How does it feel to share your passion for food with her in this way?

I often work late into the night. My nanny will make a lovely meal, but then my daughter, Krishna, will usually order Taco Bell – she’s a typical American teenager! It was really touching looking through photos for this book and seeing how much she’s grown. Becoming a mother has made me much more aware of how quickly time passes, something I never really thought about before.

There are over 100 recipes in the book. How did you decide which ones to include?

I created this with everyday home cooks in mind, just like how I learned to cook. I’m not a professional chef, and that wasn’t my goal. I was thinking about people with regular jobs – teachers, nurses, and so on – who want to make something a little special for friends or for occasions like a Fourth of July barbecue. Everything is designed to be simple, so you don’t need any fancy cooking skills.

The series also highlights individuals originally seen on Taste the Nation, like a chef preserving Gullah Geechee traditions in South Carolina, a Peruvian dance instructor in New Jersey, and a restaurant owner in Los Angeles with Iranian roots. What inspired you to share their stories?

I aimed to portray a diverse group of people I encountered during my travels. Traveling across the country by road, and really immersing yourself in local communities—which isn’t always simple, but I was fortunate enough to do with a TV show—gives you a much deeper understanding, not just of those places, but of the country as a whole.

America’s Culinary Cup, a brand new cooking competition, is coming next year! What are you most looking forward to viewers experiencing?

I can’t wait for viewers to learn about the obstacles the contestants face and witness the incredible talent of our chefs. Offering a million-dollar prize definitely attracts a lot of ambitious competitors.

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2025-11-04 02:06