This weekend in the Hamptons, the James Beard Foundation will host their annual Chefs & Champagne event and fundraiser honoring the inspirational and illustrious Padma Lakshmi. Many know her as the host and executive producer of Bravo’s Top Chef, but this internationally known actress, food expert, and model is so much more: a resilient advocate who is providing a generation of women a kick-ass role model to look up to.

[Photo by Inez and Vinoodh]