Padma Lashmi is an actress, cookbook author, model, television host, and producer who was born on September 1, 1970 in Madras, India. Lakshmi studied theater in university. She started her career as a model at age 21 which helped pay for her college loans. Brands she has modeled for include Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, and Roberto Cavalli. She also appeared in top magazines such as FHM, Asian Woman, and Newsweek. In the later 1990’s she started appearing in numerous television shows. After the success of her cook books she appeared in more US television shows such as Glitter, Top Chef, and 30 Rock.