Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi Addresses the Competition's Waffle Mix Controversy

Note to anyone with aspirations of competing on Bravo's Top Chef: Do not. Use. Waffle Mix. That was the message sent loud and clear in a cringe-worthy moment this season when Chef Sara Bradley cut corners, Chef Adrienne Wright outed her to the judges... and the judges were not having it.

Now, Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi is personally weighing in with more on that awkward incident. Responding to a Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen caller's question, Padma explained, "Listen, on Top Chef, you’re always going to get compared to the chef next to you. So the fact that you used the pre-made mix — honestly, I don’t know what was in that mix. It was probably just flour, baking powder or soda, and that’s it. There's not much to waffle mix to begin with. But if someone next to you also made a waffle or something else from scratch, it doesn’t matter if it’s a big deal or not: You’re probably not staying."

Andy clarified, "It's something as a judge you’d want to know, right?"

Affirmative, Padma responded. "Definitely. We’ve had people buy store-bought puff pastry, which there’s a lot more to [than simple waffle mix]. People do all kinds of things. It just matters if you did worse or better than the chef next to you." Otherwise — you can pack your knives and go.

Press play on the clip above to watch Padma tell it.