TELEVISION

Padma Lakshmi to star in food sitcom

Top Chef hostess sets her sights on prime time.

Padma Lakshmi is packing her knives...for Hollywood. The Top Chef hostess, author of the cookbook Tangy, Tart, Hot and Sweet, and star of Carl's Jr. Western Bacon Cheeseburger ad campaign is in talks with NBC for a food-themed sitcom tentatively titled "Single Serving." No word yet on what the show will actually be about, but Variety admits that television shows with a focus on food (outside of the Food Network) have not fared well in the past: "Despite the popularity of food-centric TV, attempts to translate it into sitcom form have been mixed. Fox’s “Kitchen Confidential,” based on Anthony Bourdain’s book, was critically acclaimed but short-lived. And NBC’s move to turn Emeril Lagasse into a comedy star fell flat. The announcement comes just as Lakshmi and her "Top Chef" co-host, Tom Colicchio, were nominated for an Emmy in the reality competition host category.