😱 Are Padma and Melissa Cooking Up Something More Than Friendship? 😱

Whispers are swirling through the culinary world, and this time it’s not about Michelin stars or mystery ingredients.

Fans everywhere are asking one burning question: Are Padma Lakshmi and Melissa King more than just friends?

The former “Top Chef” host and the fan-favorite “Top Chef All-Stars LA” winner have been setting social media on fire lately with flirty banter, matching outfits, and undeniable chemistry.

Their posts together have sparked a wave of speculation, and fans are eager for answers.

Padma Lakshmi, known for her poise, intelligence, and unmatched hosting presence, left “Top Chef” in 2023 after 17 seasons.

Yet, she has remained close with many of the chefs she helped propel to stardom, none closer perhaps than the endlessly talented Melissa King.

“Melissa is somebody whose cooking I always loved,” Padma told People in 2025.

“She’s fun and we enjoy each other’s company. She tends to be my plus one sometimes, so people will see us on the red carpet together.”

And indeed, they have.

From awards galas to travel adventures, Padma and Melissa have appeared side by side so often that fans can’t help but wonder if there’s something more simmering between them.

In November 2025, the internet erupted when Padma and Melissa appeared together in a light-hearted cooking video promoting Padma’s new cookbook, “Padma’s All-American Tales: Travels, and Recipes from Taste the Nation and beyond.”

While preparing a dish, Melissa couldn’t help but tease her co-star, pointing out Padma’s manicure and laughing, “Your nails look so gay right now.”

Padma burst out laughing, holding up her hands to the camera.

Her pointer and middle fingers were noticeably short and bare, while the rest were long and painted burgundy.

Fans who got the reference lost their minds, and Padma only added fuel to the fire by joking, “Stop starting rumors.”

But that wasn’t the only moment that made fans raise their eyebrows.

Just a few weeks earlier, Padma and Melissa celebrated Halloween dressed as Morticia and Gomez Addams, with Padma’s daughter Krishna adorably joining them as Wednesday.

Melissa’s caption for the post sent the internet into overdrive: “I would die for her. I would kill for her.”

For many, it wasn’t just a cute costume; it felt like a soft launch of a real-life romance.

Fans flooded the comments with excitement.

Once again, the lesbians need to know if this is a hard launch.

Another wrote, “No one plays Gomez and Morticia unless they’re shipped.”

Neither Padma nor Melissa has confirmed their dating status, but the signs keep piling up.

Padma, 54, has openly discussed her fluidity in past interviews.

She was previously married to author Salman Rushdie and later in relationships with businessman Teddy Forceman and venture capitalist Adam Dell, the father of her daughter.

Melissa, meanwhile, has also been open about her sexuality.

In June 2025, she revealed she was dating fellow Top Chef alum Nini Nguyen, though that relationship has since ended.

So, are Padma and Melissa officially together?

For now, they’re keeping their lips sealed.

But their smiles, matching outfits, and undeniable chemistry are saying plenty.

As one fan perfectly put it, “We don’t need confirmation. We can already taste the love.”

The relationship dynamics between Padma and Melissa have captivated audiences, as both women are immensely talented and influential in the culinary scene.

Their camaraderie has translated into a public friendship that many believe could be evolving into something deeper.

The playful teasing and affectionate gestures they share on social media certainly suggest a level of comfort and intimacy that goes beyond mere friendship.

As they continue to support each other in their professional endeavors, fans are left speculating about the nature of their bond.

Could this be a case of two strong women navigating the complexities of friendship and romance in the public eye?

Or is it simply a beautiful friendship that fans are projecting their hopes onto?

Only time will tell if Padma and Melissa will choose to share more about their relationship, but for now, the intrigue surrounding them only seems to grow.

The culinary community is abuzz with excitement, and every new post or interaction between the two is met with eager anticipation.

As they continue to make appearances together, the question remains: how much longer can they keep the world guessing?

In a world where celebrity relationships often play out under the scrutiny of social media, Padma and Melissa’s journey is a reminder that love can take many forms.

Whether it’s romantic or platonic, their connection is undeniably special and worth celebrating.

As fans continue to speculate, one thing is for certain: the chemistry between Padma Lakshmi and Melissa King is a recipe for intrigue that is far from cooling down.