Top Chef: World All-Stars winner announced on Padma Lakshmi's final episode

The grand finale of Top Chef: World All-Stars delivered an unforgettable episode, with beloved host Padma Lakshmi bidding farewell amidst a sizzling display of culinary excellence. In a record-breaking moment, the long-running reality competition series crowned its first-ever back-to-back season winner, Brooklyn-based contestant Buddha Lo, during Thursday's gripping finale.

Having emerged victorious in season 19, Lo once again triumphed in the show's 20th season, surpassing Top Chef Mexico season 2 winner Gabriel "Gabri" Rodriguez and Top Chef season 16 champion Sara Bradley to claim the prestigious title. Along with the honor, Lo was awarded a substantial prize of $250,000.

Throughout season 20, Lo showcased an exceptional performance, securing an impressive tally of four Quickfire wins and four elimination challenge wins. His culinary prowess shone through in the finale meal, where he and his fellow chefs showcased their skills in preparing a delectable dinner for a distinguished gathering of guests in the enchanting city of Paris.

Reflecting on his remarkable achievement, Lo expressed his gratitude, stating, "I am truly honored to have been part of this iconic season. Winning back-to-back seasons of Top Chef feels surreal." As the executive chef at Marky's Caviar in New York City, he further shared, "From the moment I received the call to participate in Houston to the exhilarating finale in Paris, it has been an incredible journey. With my multicultural background, representing Australia with roots in Hong Kong and Malaysia, my cuisine reflects various parts of the globe. Competing against top-tier chefs from around the world was a dream come true. It was the ultimate competition."

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Lakshmi, the charismatic host who has contributed immensely to the show's success, bid farewell in this final episode. Having garnered 14 Emmy nominations for her hosting and producing skills, Lakshmi shared her decision to depart in a heartfelt social media post on June 2. "After much soul searching, I have made the difficult decision to leave Top Chef," she wrote. "Completing a glorious 20th season as host and executive producer, I take immense pride in having played a role in building such a successful show and witnessing its profound impact on the realms of television and food."

In addition to her memorable tenure on Top Chef, Lakshmi has achieved acclaim as an author and launched the Hulu food series Taste the Nation in 2020. Her multifaceted contributions to the culinary world continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.