Penguin Random House: PPG’s Padma Lakshmi to Host 73rd National Book Awards

Padma Lakshmi, Photo credit: Inez & Vinoodh

“We are honored that Padma Lakshmi will bring her passion for books, storytellers, and human connection to this year’s in-person Benefit Dinner,” said Ruth Dickey, Executive Director of the National Book Foundation.


Emmy-nominated producer, activist, and Penguin Publishing Group author Padma Lakshmi will host the 73rd National Book Awards on November 16, 2022. Lakshmi will serve as master of ceremonies for the National Book Awards Ceremony, where the winners in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature will be announced. PRH authors are finalists in all five categories!

The in-person ceremony, which will be broadcast live for readers everywhere, also includes the presentation of two lifetime achievement awards. This year, PRH author Art Spiegelman will be recognized with the National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, presented by Neil Gaiman.

Padma Lakshmi is the creator and host of Hulu’s Taste the Nation and host and executive producer of the Emmy-winning Bravo series Top Chef. She is the bestselling author of two cookbooks, the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPICES AND HERBS, as well as her memoir LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT WE ATE. She is also the author of children’s book TOMATOES FOR NEELA. Lakshmi is also cofounder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America, an artist ambassador for the ACLU, and a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations. She lives in New York City with her daughter. Her favorite kind of tomato is a San Marzano.