If you’ve spent any time on "Gay Instagram" lately, you’ve definitely seen them. The photos are everywhere. Chef Melissa King and Padma Lakshmi are essentially the internet's favorite "are they or aren't they" mystery. It started with a few red carpet appearances and then exploded during Halloween when they dressed up as Gomez and Morticia Addams.
Honestly, the chemistry was palpable. You can’t just post a video of yourself in a velvet suit looking at the former Top Chef host like she’s the only person in the room without people losing their minds. Fans have been desperate to pin down the exact status of the chef Melissa King partner situation for months. Is it a "hard launch"? Is it just two icons being icons?
The reality is a bit more nuanced than the comment sections suggest.
The "Gomez and Morticia" Moment That Broke the Internet
Let's talk about that Halloween post. Melissa King didn't just wear a costume; she leaned into the "Gomez Paddams" bit with a caption about dying or killing for her Morticia. It felt like a moment. In the queer community, dressing up as an iconic romantic couple is usually a loud, clear signal.
But then things got kinda confusing.
Padma Lakshmi eventually addressed the rumors in an interview with People. She basically said that Melissa is one of the many Top Chef alumni she stays close with. She called her "great company" and noted that Melissa is often her "plus one" for events.
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"Melissa is somebody whose cooking I always loved... She tends to be my plus one sometimes so people will see us on the red carpet together." — Padma Lakshmi
It’s a classic celebrity pivot. It doesn’t confirm a relationship, but it certainly doesn't stop the shipping. Especially when you see videos of Melissa sitting in Padma's lap at cookbook launches or Padma showing off what the internet dubbed a "lesbian manicure" while cooking potatoes with Melissa.
Wait, What About Nini Nguyen?
Before the Padma rumors took over the timeline, there was another Top Chef name in the mix. Back in mid-2025, a rumor swirled that Melissa King and fellow All-Star Nini Nguyen had "hard launched" on Instagram Stories.
Social media sleuths went into overdrive. There was a hashtag. There were cozy photos. However, Nini has been linked to other partners in the past, and many fans now believe that "hard launch" was actually a tongue-in-cheek joke between two best friends who know exactly how to stir the pot.
The culinary world is tight-knit. These chefs spend grueling hours together on set and then travel the world for food festivals. Boundaries between "best friend," "colleague," and "partner" get blurry, at least from the perspective of an outsider looking at a 15-second clip on a phone screen.
Melissa King's History with Privacy
Melissa has always been pretty open about her identity but surprisingly private about her specific dating life. She came out to her parents long before she became a household name. In fact, she’s mentioned in past interviews that her parents were actually more supportive of her being gay than they were of her choosing a career in the kitchen over a traditional "stable" job.
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She lives in San Francisco—a city she calls her "calm." For a while, there were mentions of a long-term girlfriend who worked in tech, but that was years ago, back during her first stint on Top Chef Season 12.
Since winning All-Stars, Melissa has become a massive brand. She’s modeling for Levi's, she's a National Geographic host, and she’s a culinary curator for the Met Gala. When you’re at that level of fame, your partner becomes a subject of public fascination whether you like it or not.
Deciphering the "Plus One" Logic
Is it possible they are just best friends? Sure.
But the "plus one" excuse is a favorite for celebrities who want to keep their private lives private while still enjoying a night out. Whether they are officially a couple or just "platonic soulmates," the bond between Melissa and Padma is clearly one of the most significant relationships in both of their lives right now. They share a love for California produce, a history with Top Chef, and a similar sense of humor.
For many in the LGBTQ+ community, seeing two powerful, successful women of color in such a public, affectionate friendship (or relationship) is a win regardless of the label.
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What We Know for Sure
- Melissa King is currently single or keeping her partner entirely off the grid, despite the heavy speculation.
- The relationship with Padma Lakshmi is characterized as a "close friendship" by Padma herself.
- The "Gomez and Morticia" costume remains one of the most-talked-about celebrity Halloween moments in recent years.
- Melissa continues to prioritize her work in activism and her small-batch condiment line, King Sauce.
The search for the "official" chef Melissa King partner might continue, but maybe the answer is simply that she’s living her best life, surrounded by talented friends and a career that's currently on fire. If there's a real "hard launch" coming, it'll probably happen on her terms, likely over a perfectly plated dish.
If you’re looking to keep up with Melissa’s actual confirmed moves, focus on her culinary collaborations. She’s currently leaning into brand partnerships that bridge the gap between fashion and food. Following her official Instagram is the best way to see if that "plus one" status ever evolves into something more definitive. For now, we're all just along for the ride.
Actionable Insights:
- Follow the Source: Don't rely on Reddit threads for relationship confirmation; celebrity "sources" often contradict actual public statements made by the stars themselves.
- Support the Work: Melissa King's impact as a queer AAPI icon is more about her philanthropy—like donating 100% of her $10,000 Fan Favorite prize—than her dating life.
- Watch the Red Carpets: In the world of high-profile chefs, the "plus one" is often a strategic choice. Watch for repeat appearances at non-food events to gauge the depth of a friendship.