Food is more than Padma Lakshmi’s nine-to-five.

The Emmy-nominated host of “Top Chef,” renowned cookbook author and creator of “Taste the Nation With Padma Lakshmi” (which returns to Hulu May 5 for its second season), happily takes her work home with her.

The India-born, New York City-bred star often shares the kitchen (and a fantastic sense of style) with her daughter, Krishna, but the 13-year-old has recently declared her culinary independence.

“She’s stopped cooking with me lately,” says Lakshmi, 52. “She says I’m too oppressive. I get it. It would be like if you’re learning to play tennis and your dad is Andre Agassi.”

But that doesn’t stop Lakshmi from hoping for breakfast in bed — “leisurely drinking copious amounts of tea while reading the newspaper” this Mother’s Day.

She’d also like to skate around the neighborhood with her daughter, maybe catch a movie or wander the aisles of a bookstore together, then end the day with dinner at one of her favorites, Il Posto Accanto in the East Village.

Here, the professional foodie shares with Alexa her ingredients for a flavorful life.