NBC
"I think he's a great dad," Lakshmi tells PEOPLE of Colicchio, who welcomed his second son Luka Bodhi Aug. 1.
As for Simmons, their friendship – which extends beyond the hit show – has allowed her to witness Colicchio's parenting skills. In fact, she was on hand at the hospital with Colicchio and wife Lori Silverbush the day of baby Luka's arrival.
"Tom and I knew each other long before the show and I know his older son [Dante, 16,] quite well," she says. "I think he's an awesome dad. I'm just so excited that he's reliving it again. He loves kids and he loves his family."
While the introduction of solids is still a few months away for Luka, both Lakshmi and Simmons agree that baby boy will, without a doubt, be exposed to only the finest foods.
"He cooks for them. I'm not sure what they have planned, but whatever that kid eats he'll be well fed," notes Simmons, before joking she certainly "wouldn't mind being Tom Colicchio's kid!"
•Reporting by SCOTT HUVER
