- By Supratik Das
- Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:08 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Padma Lakshmi apple pie controversy: Indian-American television host, author, and former model Padma Lakshmi has found herself at the center of a social media storm after asserting that “apple pie is not genuinely American.” The remarks, made during an interview with The New York Times, have reignited a long-running debate over what defines “American” cuisine and culture.
While promoting her upcoming CBS cooking program, set to premiere ahead of Thanksgiving—Lakshmi was asked about the difference between “immigrant food” and “American food.” She replied, “If we just ate what was native to the United States, we’d be living on desert packrat and ramps. I’ve eaten those things, and they’re delicious, but we wouldn’t last 15 minutes if that was our only option. Even apple pie isn’t American: not the crust, not the filling, not the spices.”
Faces Online Backlash
Lakshmi’s comments quickly spread across social media, drawing both support and criticism. Many users accused her of disrespecting American traditions, while others praised her for acknowledging the multicultural roots of popular dishes.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “She seems to be an import as well.” Another commented, “Do we really have to listen to her? My lifetime it’s been apple pie. Maybe with a spoonful of vanilla ice cream, but yes—all American.” However, some social media users defended Lakshmi, arguing that her statement was factually correct. Food historians have long pointed out that apples originated in Central Asia, while pie-making traditions were introduced by Europeans, particularly the British and Dutch settlers. The spices commonly used—such as cinnamon and nutmeg, were imported from Asia through early trade routes.
This is not the first time Lakshmi has made such remarks. In a 2020 interview with Variety, she said, “We throw around a lot of platitudes like, ‘nothing’s as American as apple pie.’ Well, apple pie is not American. Not one ingredient in apple pie is indigenous to North America. Not even the apple! So what are we talking about here?”
Lakshmi, who moved to the United States from India as a child, has often spoken about the immigrant influence on American food. She emphasized that the country’s culinary landscape has been shaped by waves of migrants who brought their traditions and recipes with them.
Lakshmi Defends Immigrant Influence
“If we were to eat only what is native to this land, we’d have a very limited diet,” she said in the recent interview. “Immigrants are the reason American food is as diverse and rich as it is today.”
The controversy comes at a time when discussions about cultural identity and heritage are increasingly visible in American media. Lakshmi, who has hosted Top Chef and Taste the Nation, continues to be a prominent advocate for inclusive storytelling in food and culture. Her remarks have instead fueled broader reflection about how American identity is deeply intertwined with global influences, a conversation that, much like apple pie itself, continues to evolve.
