Uchiko's Tim Dornon Is IN as QUI's Chef Consultant

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Boom: Tim Dornon is leaving his position as Chef de Cuisine at Uchiko to join Paul Qui's forthcoming flagship QUI as Chef Consultant. According to a release, Dornon "will work closely with Qui in menu development, food execution and systemizing daily operations." Dornon was the Chef de Partie under renowned chef Laurent Gras at Chicago's L.20 and Tru, and has worked at Daniel and Corton in New York City. Closer to home, he's worked for Z Tejas, Mezzaluna, and Truluck's. That's quite the resume. According to Qui, Dornon "provides a great balance to my madness."

This is one of the first pieces of rock solid news about the restaurant since it was announced that former Congress beverage director June Rodil was signing on as Qui's general manager. Alas, no specific opening date as yet, but the release does say it will be Spring 2013. Nevertheless, brace yourselves, y'all: QUI is coming. Above, do enjoy some renderings of the restaurant; press release below.

Uchiko Chef de Cuisine Tim Dornon Joins QUI AUSTIN, Tx -­?-­? January 2013 -­?-­? Tim Dornon announced today that he will be leaving his position as Chef de Cuisine at Uchiko to join Chef Paul Qui's newest culinary endeavor, QUI, as Chef Consultant. In the new role, Dornon will work closely with Qui in menu development, food execution and systemizing daily operations.

The team at QUI is excited to gain Dornon's ten years of culinary experience, which has led to a dedication to the pursuit of exceptional cuisine.

"I think Tim is one of the most talented, yet unrecognized chefs in the city. It's my honor to work with him," says Qui. "He provides a great balance to my madness."

Dornon and Qui gained respect for each other in the kitchen when Dornon joined the Uchiko team in 2011, when Qui was the Executive Chef.

"It was really cool to work with Paul in the Uchiko kitchen and I'm excited to see what all he's going to do in his own world," says Dornon.

Set to open Spring 2013, QUI will be a 55-­?seat restaurant with a ten-­?seat tasting room offering diners a variety of dishes created by Top Chef and James Beard Award Winner Paul Qui. QUI will be the chef's flagship restaurant.

"Tim has been an asset to the Uchiko team and we wish him the best of luck as he moves over to work with Paul," says chef/owner of Uchi and Uchiko, Tyson Cole. "I'm sure great things will happen on the menu over at QUI. As his teacher and mentor my desire is to always support and assist Paul in all his future endeavors, and wish him nothing but success."

About Tim Dornon

Chef Tim Dornon's culinary career began at Austin's Z Tejas, where he learned that a restaurant kitchen is a truly brutal place. Dornan's dedication to exceptional cuisine led him to a position at Mezzaluna and Truluck's, and eventually, to Chicago, where he met his mentor, Chef Laurent Gras. After three years working with Gras as Chef de Partie at L.20 and Tru, Dornon followed his passion to New York, where he worked at renowned restaurants like Daniel and Corton.

About Paul Qui

Paul Qui is the recipient of the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Southwest 2012, and the winner of Top Chef Season 9. Born in Manila, Philippines and trained in classic French and Japanese cuisine, Paul takes a modernist approach towards food, where there are no boundaries.

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