Chef Paul Qui is closing his eponymous restaurant.
Photo by Bonjwing Lee/ Qui
In what could be the most high-profile restaurant closure of the year, Paul Qui is shutting the doors of qui. The eponymous restaurant, located in bustling East Austin, will hold its last service on Saturday, September 3. He plans to "return to his roots" and debut a new concept, Kuneho, in the space.
Kuneho will specialize in sushi and Japanese dishes; Qui's experience under Uchi's Tyson Cole and as executive chef at Uchiko will certainly come into play. Accompanying Kuneho is a new craft cocktail concept dubbed Rabbit Hole.
"I'm so grateful for the support I've received from the Austin community and for everyone who has come to visit over the years to help make qui such a success," said the Top Chef and James Beard winner in a statement. "Evolution is important to me in my cuisine, and I'm excited to offer a fresh perspective on traditional Japanese cuisine with the opening of Kuneho."
After the final service at qui, the space will undergo a renovation. Kuneho should debut in November.
The past year has been a busy and tumultuous one for Qui. The local celebrity chef opened two new concepts in Austin — the well-received Otoko and a brick-and-mortar version of Thai-Khun — in addition to Pao in Miami.
However, he garnered national media attention when he was arrested on assault charges in March. In his first interview since the incident, Qui opened up to the Austin American-Statesman about his struggle with drugs and alcohol. After a stint in rehab, he is looking to refocus his efforts as a chef and dedicate more time to his team.
Of his path to redemption, Qui says he needs to "earn it."
Christopher Carpenter is known for his minimal intervention approach.
Every year, the Austin Wine & Food Foundation (AWFF) chooses a featured winemaker for its Austin Wine Auction & Gala Weekend. For the 40th installation, that winemaker is Christopher Carpenter of Cardinale Winery, which is based in the Napa Valley, California. The Auction & Gala Weekend is scheduled for November 6 and 7, 2026.
AWFF is a nonprofit that fights food insecurity in Central Texas. It offers grants and scholarships, and it funds them through events and auctions throughout the year.
Carpenter is with more wineries than just Cardinale; he also works with Lokoya, La Jota Vineyard Co., Mt. Brave, and Caladan, according to a press release — all in Napa Valley. He also works with Hickinbotham in South Australia. His career has spanned two decades, and he is best-known for Cabernet Sauvignon and a philosophy of minimal intervention.
On NapaValleyWine.com, he put it succinctly: "Mother Nature does not conform to schedules or expectations."
"We are deeply honored to welcome Chris Carpenter as the featured winemaker for our 40th annual Austin Wine Auction & Gala Weekend," said AWFF executive director Sarah Weeks in the release. "He is one of the most respected figures in the industry today, and we look forward to giving our members and the Austin community the opportunity to experience his exceptional wines and hear more about his story and philosophy.”
Carpenter will show off some of his "most coveted offerings" at a luncheon at the JW Marriott Austin on November 6. The auction will follow the next day, November 7. It'll be hosted by wine auctioneer Charles Antin, who is the global head of wine auctions at Zachys. Then a gala wraps the event up with dinner and wine pairings from Austin pros.
Austinites who want a feel for the types of organizations AWFF supports should look to the following beneficiaries for 2026:
Green Corn Project helps Central Texans grow organic food gardens at home, as well as in schools and community centers. AWFF's support goes toward the spring dig-in program, which is for people who have limited access to healthy food.
Good Work Austin supports hospitality workers and locally owned businesses through community partnerships. AWFF supports the Community Kitchen program, which pays local restaurant workers to cook for people facing food insecurity. It delivers three meals a day to local shelters.
Sustainable Food Center, which Austinites may recognize from the farmers markets it hosts, also provides nutrition education and bolsters access to fresh produce. AWFF’s funding "helps double the benefits for those who use programs like SNAP and WIC to access nutritious foods," the release says.
Caritas of Austin provides housing to unhoused Austinites, and has been around for more than 60 years. AWFF funds help stock the Community Kitchen and its pantries.
Keep Austin Fed "rescues" unused food from restaurants, retailers, farms, and caterers. It then sends it to locals experiencing food insecurity. It helps the planet as well as the people who eat the food.
Sunday Lunchbox sends shelf-stable and easy-to-prepare meals to underserved Austinites. It has a program that utilizes crops that a farm has too many of, and gets them into people's hands before they spoil.
Registration for the 40th annual Austin Wine Auction & Gala Weekend starts April 15, 2026. Members will be able to purchase tickets early. Last year's Wine Auction tickets went for$375
