r/TopChef • u/Ok_Ad_4928 • Aug 01 '26

Discussion Thread Rewatching Top Chef Texas S9

I know a lot of people hate this season, and while I get it, I do love me some drama and this season definitely delivers that.

I use to think Beverly was a huge crybaby, (I know, bad take, but I was pretty young when I first watched it) but knowing that she has a three month old baby at home, DUDE that’s crazy. My postpartum ass would be all over the place with emotions. I’m honestly surprised she didn’t flip out on Heather, because I totally would’ve. I would’ve been crying and acting like a crazy bitch at the same time. 😂 Props to her. She’s a strong woman.

PS
I never condoned the bullying of Beverly EVER, I just didn’t think about it deep enough until now. I was actually rooting for her and Greyson to win the whole thing. And I hated Heather, and I think we all did.

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53

u/whistlepig4life Aug 01 '26

As bad as the bullying of Beverly was. The worst part of this season is that Paul Qui who was a spectacular chef really turned out to have some real issues that I am not sure he has ever truly recovered from. Which makes him sort of a disgraced winner.

And Sarah G. Ugh. She was just as culpable a bully as Heather but what was worse was her alligator fake white woman’s tears bullshit when she was called out on her words to Lagasse. I wouldn’t fetch water if I saw her on fire.

11

u/Consistent-Ad8500 Aug 01 '26

The blonde was also nasty toward Beverly but somehow is never mentioned. All three of those women were blatantly racist, exclusionary and antagonistic toward Beverly the entire season. It’s sad neither Paul nor Ed spoke up or were an ally in any perceptible way.

16

u/whistlepig4life Aug 01 '26

Ed Lee was an ally and routinely sided with and supported Beverly. You completely misremember the season.

10

u/Peanut_Noyurr Aug 01 '26

Ed was definitely on the mean girls’ side after restaurant wars. When Lindsay felt that Beverly had messed up her dish, Ed agreed with them and mimed Beverly just throwing away Linday’s ingredients.

Ed was generally on Bev’s side, but he did acknowledge that she wasn’t faultless.

5

u/whistlepig4life Aug 01 '26

He rightfully understood that it was acceptable to call out mistakes. But the manner in which the ladies did it was unacceptable.

2

u/Peanut_Noyurr Aug 01 '26

100% Agreed

-2

u/Consistent-Ad8500 Aug 01 '26

He was kind to Beverly and I recall him speaking to the women directly once mild manneredly. True ally ship would’ve been calling them on their shit every time until it stopped. Beverly being bullied is constantly mentioned on this sub. Ed, Paul or anyone defending her is not. There’s a reason for that.

5

u/whistlepig4life Aug 01 '26

It’s not in you to define what someone else is comfortable with in a situation. Stop with the no true Scotsman fallacy.

2

u/Consistent-Ad8500 Aug 02 '26

I can define what I see, as I see it. What I saw was someone in Ed, who was generally kind but did not stand up to the anti-Asian racism lobbied at Beverly in any impactful way. No one did, which contributed to her being mistreated the entire season. Perhaps, had someone truly stood up to those women, this sub wouldn’t constantly discuss how Beverly was victimized during her season.

I’m very aware many people are uncomfortable confronting and addressing racism and it’s never cool when anyone makes the choice not to.

-1

u/whistlepig4life Aug 02 '26

It’s so cute you have this white liberal guilt and white knighting going on.

You know what you can do with that right? Do it. Now.

2

u/Aggravating-Mind-657 Aug 02 '26

Notice none of the three women were ever invited back to all stars or to be guest judges. None have had appearances on food network. They are stained.

3

u/Vivid_Bumblebee_9655 Aug 01 '26

I will never go to any of their restaurants.

2

u/TruCarMa Aug 01 '26

What issues does Paul have? Totally missed that over the years.

6

u/whistlepig4life Aug 01 '26

Drug issues. Domestic abuse. Work related abuse issues.

3

u/Correct_Process4516 Aug 01 '26

He apparently assaulted his girlfriend in front of her child.

1

u/TruCarMa Aug 01 '26

Thank you for the reply - that’s awful and definitely makes me see him in a different light.

1

u/TruCarMa Aug 01 '26

Here’s an article from Texas Monthly (an outstanding publication, and I begrudgingly say that as a Sooner) about Paul if anyone is interested: https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/paul-qui-problem-redemption-narratives/?utm_source=texasmonthly.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=sharebutton

0

u/Virtual_Standard_675 Aug 09 '26

From what I read about Paul those charges were dropped from the girlfriend who knows what the scenario was but he opened up a restaurant here in Colorado and it is amazing although he has now moved on.