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New 'Top Chef' Host Kristen Kish Shares the Advice Padma Lakshmi Gave Her (Exclusive)

Kish is the winner of 'Top Chef' season 10 and has previously guest hosted in seasons 18 and 19.

Speaking with ET's Rachel Smith ahead of the premiere on Wednesday, the 40-year-old chef -- a previous winner of the cooking competition series -- said that when it comes to taking over the reins, Lakshmi said she would be as hands-on or laissez-faire as she needs. Kish, the owner of the Arlo Grey restaurant in Austin, Texas, described Lakshmi's advice as "exactly what I needed to hear," and said that when they ended up in Wisconsin to film the new installment of the series, she felt confident and ready to work. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for TIME"Luckily, I didn't need to like phone a friend during any part of it," the cookbook author said.

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