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Padma Lakshmi receives 2024 ICON Award
The award celebrated her culinary influence and excellence.
Arun Upneja (left), dean of the School of Hospitality Administration, interviewed Top Chef star Padma Lakshmi on stage and gave her the school’s 2024 ICON Award during SHA’s annual Hospitality Leadership Summit / (Boston University)
Indian American television host and food expert, Padma Lakshmi was awarded the ICON Award from Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration (SHA) during its annual Hospitality Leadership Summit.
The award which is given recognizes innovators who create new and transformative paradigms in hospitality celebrated the Emmy-nominated producer and New York Times bestselling author’s significant achievements and her advocacy for various issues.
Lakshmi, widely recognized for her role as a host and executive producer of the acclaimed Hulu series "Taste the Nation" and Bravo's Emmy-winning "Top Chef," reflected on her unexpected journey into the food industry, highlighting her background as a theater major, during a conversation with Arun Upneja, dean of Boston University SHA.
She emphasized the importance of hospitality as a means of welcoming strangers into one's space and making them feel cared for, underscoring the broader significance of hospitality beyond mere commerce, resonating deeply with the ethos of SHA's commitment to excellence in hospitality education.
“I come at food from a very personal point of view, through my writing and my television shows, and I really think what [we] do is not so much about commerce and business, but it’s about welcoming [a] stranger into your space and making them feel cared for,” she said.
“At the end of the day I think everyone needs to learn how to do that, even if they don’t work in the industry. For me, hospitality has always been about making it easier for people who you welcome into your home. I’m so honored that you would give me this award and welcome me into your fold,” she added.
The event, attended by industry leaders, students, and faculty, not only celebrated Lakshmi's achievements but also showcased the innovative spirit of the hospitality industry. The summit featured discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities aimed at fostering collaboration and driving positive change within the field.
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