Padma Lakshmi insists she’s “single and free,” despite a recent report in

Padma Lakshmi insists she’s “single and free,” despite a recent report in The New York Post’s Page Six linking her to wealthy hotelier Vikram Chatwal. The Top Chef host denied romance rumors on Twitter March 13, writing, “Please stop the lies,” she wrote. “I’m not dating anyone or vacationing with or [getting] ‘cozy’ with anyone.”

Lakshmi and Chatwal, who owns the Dream Hotel chain, were first linked in December 2012 when they sat courtside at a New York Knicks game. Page Six claimed the Bravo star invited the 41-year-old to her annual Blossom Ball, which benefits the Endometriosis Foundation of America.

“[Susan Sarandon] was my only date to Blossom Ball,” Lakshmi clarified on Twitter. The 42-year-old Tangy, Tart, Hot and Sweet cookbook author has hosted the charity event since its inception in 2009. She co-founded the benefit with Dr. Tamer Seckin.