Padma Lakshmi Insists 'Top Chef' Winner Gabe Erales Doesn't Conduct Sexual Harassment on Set Celebrity Addressing the swirling rumors, the 'Taste the Nation' star claims that she is 'not aware' of the allegations against the season 18 winner of the Bravo show and calls for an investigation. Jul 3, 2021 Padma Lakshmi has spoken up about the controversy surrounding " Top Chef" star Gabe Erales. Addressing the sexual harassment allegations, the host of the Bravo competition series insisted that the season 18 winner of the show doesn't conduct inappropriate behavior on the set. On Friday, July 2, the "Tangy, Tart, Hot and Sweet: A World of Recipes for Every Day" author took to her Twitter account to share her thoughts. "To be clear, no one has alleged sexual harassment on the record or otherwise to Bravo/Top Chef," she penned, before admitting, "And we judges didn't have any indication of inappropriate behavior from Gabe during his time on set."