Padma Lakshmi faces backlash after saying apple pie isn’t American

Highlights:

• Padma Lakshmi claims apple pie is “not American.”
• Says none of its ingredients are native to North America.
• Faces backlash online; some call her an “import.”
• Indian-American host defends immigrant influence on US cuisine.
• Remarks reignite debate ahead of Thanksgiving celebrations.

Indian-American author and TV host Padma Lakshmi has found herself at the center of a heated cultural debate after declaring that “apple pie is not genuinely American.” The comment, made during an interview with The New York Times ahead of her upcoming CBS cooking show, quickly went viral, drawing both criticism and support across social media platforms.

“Apple pie isn’t American: not the crust, not the filling, not the spices,” Lakshmi said in the interview, emphasizing that the beloved dessert’s components come from diverse regions around the world. Her remarks came as part of a larger discussion on immigrant influence in shaping American cuisine and culture.

The Indian-American TV star, who moved to the U.S. from India as a child, added that America’s rich food culture is built on global contributions. “We throw around platitudes like, ‘nothing’s as American as apple pie,’” she previously told Variety in 2020. “But not one ingredient in apple pie is indigenous to North America, not even the apple! So what are we talking about here?”

Lakshmi’s latest statement, however, reignited the discussion in the run-up to Thanksgiving, one of the most symbolically “American” holidays. Critics on social media accused her of undermining national traditions, while others defended her for highlighting historical and cultural accuracy.

One X user wrote, “She seems to be an import as well,” echoing the sentiment of those questioning Lakshmi’s take on cultural authenticity. Another user argued that “Apple pie may have originated in Europe, but Americans perfected it.” A third user commented, “Do we really have to listen to her? My entire life, apple pie has been All-American.”

Despite the backlash, supporters applauded Lakshmi for pointing out that American cuisine, like the country itself, is a melting pot of immigrant influences. They noted that her statement aligns with a broader understanding of how national dishes often have multicultural roots.

Lakshmi clarified that if Americans ate only foods indigenous to the US, their diet would be extremely limited. “If we were to eat exclusively what is native to the United States, our diet would consist mainly of desert packrat and ramps,” she quipped, referring to a desert rodent and a wild vegetable.

Known for her work on Top Chef and her advocacy for immigrant rights, Padma Lakshmi has long used her platform to challenge assumptions about food, culture, and identity. She expressed gratitude for the opportunities America has given her but also reiterated that immigrants are integral to the nation’s success.

As the online debate simmers, her remarks continue to spark questions about what truly defines “American” food — and whether cultural pride and historical accuracy can coexist on the same plate.