Austin chef Paul Qui remembers his parents’ reaction years ago when he told them he was going to be a chef. “Really?” was their response. “Having Asian parents, they sort of expect you to be a doctor or a lawyer,” he said in a phone interview this afternoon. But over the years his mother and father came around and today they couldn’t be more proud—not just because Paul is an accomplished chef but also because he bested 28 other contestants in this season’s Top Chef: Texas. “They certainly have a lot more respect for the industry,” he said. And it doesn’t hurt that he is, as another reporter pointed out, the winningest chef on the series—$185,000 and a Prius. “And two trips,” he happily added.

Just as he was during the season, Paul is thoughtful but to the point. What is the secret to winning on Top Chef? “The secret is to focus on the food and the challenge ahead.” When did you start thinking about being in the finals? “At the finals.” Who is more intimidating—Padma Lakshmi or Tom Colicchio? “Padma. Celebrity chefs are still chefs. But a supermodel…”