‘TOP CHEF’ HOST DONATES SHOES FOR HURRICANE SANDY VICTIMS

Padma Lakshmi is the latest star to lend a helping hand to the Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. On Thursday, the “Top Chef” host joined Westin Hotels & Resorts and New Balance to launch the brands’ exclusive gear lending program in New York. Lakshmi, along with thousands of Westin associates from around the world, participated in a 5-kilometer run to raise money for “Soles4Souls,” which collects new shoes to give suffering relief victims.