Paul Qui – the recent winner of Top Chef Texas and the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest – is currently working on his much-anticipated Austin restaurant projects, but that doesn’t mean he has completely forgotten his chef roots. From September 10-15, Qui will return to the Uchi kitchen where he first trained under Tyson Cole. Throughout the five-day event, Qui will move in and out of the kitchen, cooking with the Uchi staff and greeting guests throughout the restaurant.

Although Qui has broken off on his own and no longer works for the Uchi establishment, he still attributes much of his current success to Tyson Cole and the Uchi team. “I can never forget where I started and I miss being at Uchi and working with Tyson,” Qui told TEXAS MONTHLY. ”I’ll be there next week to cook where it all began.”

Tagged: austin, Layne Lynch, Paul Qui, Top Chef Texas, Tyson Cole, uchi

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding former Uchiko chef Paul Qui these past few weeks regarding what’s next for the recent Top Chef victor. Qui officially announced he will reveal all the details of his next endeavor in a few weeks during a dinner in New York City. And as you can imagine, speculation keeps mounting as to whether Qui will stay in Texas or not, but for the time being, he still belongs to the Lone Star State.

For those who can’t get enough of the Top Chef winner, you can catch a glimpse of him via live stream from the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts – Qui’s culinary school alma mater – in Austin today. At 5 p.m. CT, Qui will be hosting a virtual cooking demo at the school where he’ll be preparing some of his favorite dishes and answering viewers’ questions.  For those interested in seeing Qui work his magic on camera again, see this link to find out how to snag one of the available virtual spots.

Tagged: austin, Layne Lynch, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Paul Qui, Top Chef Texas

Will Uchiko’s Paul Qui be the big winner on the season nine finale of Top Chef: Texas this Wednesday, February 29? Or will he be the big loser? Keep your fingers crossed for our Austin boy. If you want to really get in the mood, drop by either Uchi or Uchiko to follow the show live. Chef-owner Tyson cole will host a viewing party at Uchiko at 9 p.m. TVs in the restaurant will carry the show and it will also be projected on the patio. If you can’t make it then, catch the rebroadcast at 10:30 during extended hours at Uchiko. To keep everyone’s spirits up, they will offer the Sake Social menu at both showings (as well as the regular menu during the 9 p.m. broadcast).

Should Uchi be closer to where you live, no worries. That location will have its regular Top Chef: Texas viewing party at 9, shown on the outdoor projector, with the Sake Social menu served on the patio. (No rebroadcast at Uchi, however.)

Alas, Paul will not be in attendance at any of the showings. And the press release didn’t say why, in case you wondered.

UPDATE: As of Tuesday there are no tables left at Uchiko but you’re invited to come have a drink at the bar.

Tagged: Paul Qui, Top Chef Texas, uchi, uchiko