Wow. Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi is doing an ad for Hardee's Bacon Western Thickburger. From People.com:
"I think it's a beautiful love song to food," Lakshmi says of her new ad. "I think eating in itself is the act of great sensuality, so all you have to do is point the camera in the right direction."
A Hardee's rep tells me that the air date is March 30 in all Hardee's markets. (And also that Padma "was totally hot and a real class act. Can really put down a burger, too.")
I'm guessing that the commercial will hit the web soon thereafter, for all of you outside of Hardee's markets.
Hardee's - seriously? I have only been to one and it was disgustingly filthy, the tiles were coming up, it was in need of major repairs, scrubbing from top to bottom and inside out, and a complete decorating overhaul. I never entered another. I don't know if my experience was normal or not. Anyway, if anyone can make something/anything sexy, it's Padma.
Yes, they're essentially the same. A few years ago (like 10) Carl's Jr. purchased Hardee's (which at the time focused on fried chicken). Their menus are extremely similar, but not exact mirrors.
Re: the actual story: I think it's great. Go out and make some money! Anyone that thinks that's wrong is just plain silly.
All the culinary celebs are signing up for perks. Tom C has Diet Coke, Padma has Hardees and soon we will see Paula Deen sign up with Victoria's Secrets.
It's not like she was a champion for organic, pure, clean food.
I think people have some weird misconception that chefs/people involved in the culinary world/critics/et al wouldn't eat a chili dog or a big greasy bacon burger every now and then.
They somehow think the only things they eat are perfectly created sourced organic food, plated on the finest dishes in a big tower arcing towards the sky with fancy sauces, foams, and emulsions.
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15 Comments:
Isn't this the same Padma Lakshmi who called Stefan's dessert "pedestrian at best" in last nights TC finale? Hm.
hungrybruno at 3:39PM on 02/26/09
This should have been Quote of the Day at some point but Adam was too modest:
[in reference to the show's aggressive product placement]
"Top Chef: Now brought to you by Salman Rushdie"
Oh, never mind.
Michele Humes at 3:50PM on 02/26/09
Good call @hungrybruno. Ha.
Hardee's - seriously? I have only been to one and it was disgustingly filthy, the tiles were coming up, it was in need of major repairs, scrubbing from top to bottom and inside out, and a complete decorating overhaul. I never entered another. I don't know if my experience was normal or not. Anyway, if anyone can make something/anything sexy, it's Padma.
PerkyMac at 4:08PM on 02/26/09
Are these going to be Carl's Jr. commercials for us WOTMers?
gaucholoco at 8:23PM on 02/26/09
Diet coke commercial? Check. Seductive burger eating ad at Hardee's (!?!) Check. Top Chef completely jumping the shark?
Entirely possible.
maered at 8:54PM on 02/26/09
Gross.
paris221966 at 10:12PM on 02/26/09
wow. way to discredit yourself as a food critic, padma. i'm sure you could have gotten a much more delicious, classy endorsement deal.
spartana07 at 11:06PM on 02/26/09
Can someone clarify? Is Hardee's = Carl's Jr.? (because I recognize the paper bag and cup as the ones from Carl's Jr.).
Never heard of Hardee's in southern California, but I love Carl's Jr. Western Bacon Cheeseburger!
cucumberpandan at 3:46AM on 02/27/09
I'd say this is the type of food she should be judging all along... Can someone please tell me why this pantload is judging chefs?
Pavlov at 5:28AM on 02/27/09
@cucumberpandan:
Yes, they're essentially the same. A few years ago (like 10) Carl's Jr. purchased Hardee's (which at the time focused on fried chicken). Their menus are extremely similar, but not exact mirrors.
Re: the actual story: I think it's great. Go out and make some money! Anyone that thinks that's wrong is just plain silly.
JoeyB at 11:14AM on 02/27/09
All the culinary celebs are signing up for perks. Tom C has Diet Coke, Padma has Hardees and soon we will see Paula Deen sign up with Victoria's Secrets.
Boscompb at 1:23PM on 02/27/09
I don't see the big deal.
It's not like she was a champion for organic, pure, clean food.
I think people have some weird misconception that chefs/people involved in the culinary world/critics/et al wouldn't eat a chili dog or a big greasy bacon burger every now and then.
They somehow think the only things they eat are perfectly created sourced organic food, plated on the finest dishes in a big tower arcing towards the sky with fancy sauces, foams, and emulsions.
carnality at 3:52PM on 02/28/09
Carnality. I totally agree with what you say here.
wunami at 11:40PM on 03/01/09
Makes me wanna chow down on some Hardee's
PacoMunsin at 12:22AM on 03/02/09
Who are these pompous clods? Hardees knows EXACTLY what they're doing. This babe makes me wanna eat her AND the burger. LOL
dbland3rd at 1:10PM on 03/30/09