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\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Kristen Kish<\/strong><\/a> is talking Padma Lakshmi<\/strong><\/a> and hosting Top Chef<\/strong><\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n The 40-year-old chef spoke out in an interview with Midwest Living<\/a><\/em> about taking over as host ahead of the premiere of Season 21 of Top Chef: Wisconsin<\/strong><\/em>, the first season without Padma<\/strong> as host since she stepped down in 2023.<\/a><\/p>\n During the conversation, she spoke to the self doubt and pressure that comes with taking over Padma Lakshmi<\/strong>\u2019s long-held hosting position.<\/p>\n Keep reading to find out more\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAbout taking the job? No. About how well I could do the job? Yes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew I had big shoes to fill. I don\u2019t think anyone would have taken that job without a little bit of doubt. But that doubt wasn\u2019t big enough for me to say I\u2019m not going to do it. That\u2019s letting fear lead your decision-making. I worked hard not to let that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n She also spoke to the challenge of competing on the show versus hosting the show.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a competing chef, it\u2019s hard because you don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on. You\u2019re thrown a new challenge and just trying to make it one more day. What\u2019s hard about hosting is the expectation of having to fill the position that Padma<\/strong> held for a very long time. And she was very good at it. Everyone knows the Tom<\/strong>, Gail<\/strong>, Padma<\/strong> trio\u2014to have to step into that is challenging. So, both are difficult. And both are gratifying and amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n Season 21 premieres on March 20 on Bravo<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n Find out who is the most popular winner from the franchise of all time!<\/a><\/p>\n