Padma Lakshmi tackles hot rumors about ‘Top Chef’ winner Gabe Erales

Texas-based chef Gabe Erales won the title of “Top Chef” Thursday night — and it’s already leaving a nasty aftertaste in the mouths of some fans of the enduring reality TV cooking competition.

While some hyped his win on social media, others found it problematic that the former executive chef of Austin’s Comedor — who was fired in December for “repeated violations” of restaurant policies — claimed the $250,000 grand prize. Bravo’s Portland, Oregon-based finale of the show’s 18th season featured Erales, 40, being crowned the winner, with fellow Texas chef Dawn Burrell from Houston and Shota Nakajima from Seattle as runners-up.