‘Top Chef’ host, Padma Lakshmi sued for custody by former billionaire lover

[HMG Celebrity News] – Away from the kitchens it seems ‘Top Chef’ host, Padma Lakshmi has a recipe for trouble – Adam Dell, brother of the billionaire behind Dell Computers is now suing her for more access to their 11-month old daughter.

Adam, a 41-year old venture capitalist from Houston, Texas has filed suit in Manhattan’s Supreme Court, requesting custody of their daughter Krishna. Sources say he gets as little as seven-hours a week with the child, who was born on February 20th, and Padma has ignored all requests for more time.

“Above all, he wants to have an active and substantial role in the upbringing of his daughter,” Adam’s lawyer, Bill Zabel told the Post. “Ms. Lakshmi has severely limited his time with her and has refused to negotiate a co-parenting agreement. Mr. Dell tried to avoid court, but Ms. Lakshmi has given him no other choice.”

Insiders say the pair have an agreement that allows Adam seven-hours a week with Krishna, but that often gets nixed by Padma’s TV commitments. For instance, Adam had just four hours with his daughter this month – and he had to fly to the Bahamas to get it.

“He has to fit into her schedule,” one source coolly explained.

The pair dated briefly in 2009 but Padma dumped him when she met Teddy Fortsman, the uber-rich owner of insurance giant, IMG. Close friends say Adam now has to deal with her lawyers and her assistant to get time with Krishna and that just isn’t working;

In the lawsuit Adam is asking for better access, to be named on Krishna’s birth certificate, and to have her take his last name along with Lakshmi’s.

“Adam doesn’t want to take the baby away, he just hopes this will result in a reasonable co-parenting agreement,” says one pal.

And you get a clear idea what he’s up against from this response to his lawsuit from Padma’s assistant;

“It appears Mr. Dell remains more interested in garnering media attention than working out details to see Krishna, or in her welfare,” is their dismissive reply.

That’s the state of play so far, guys – So, who’s side are you on, and how would you work out their new deal?…