Answering the oft-repeated question, what made her choose the author as life partner, she said: "I think that people make the mistake of thinking women are attracted to money and success, but what we're really attracted to is men who've done something interesting."

However, her idea of happiness seems at odds with her husband's.

"I'm really happiest when I'm playing rap music in my basement and doing something with my hands. I even bedazzled these jeans," she said, referring to rhinestones attached to her denims. "It took like 15 hours!"

Padma Lakshmi also enjoys the company of her stepson. "We have violent pillow fights. My husband gets really mad. He'd be like, 'Don't wind him up before bed, don't shake him like that'. It's fun."