'Top Chef' winner arrested on charges of assaulting girlfriend in Austin

The restaurateur and 2012 winner of the Bravo TV show Top Chef was charged with assaulting his girlfriend in Austin, Texas.

Austin police say Paul Qui was arrested Saturday morning on misdemeanor charges of unlawful restraint and of assault causing injury-family violence.

Qui said later in a statement he is innocent.

According to an arrest affidavit posted by the Austin American-Statesman, Qui's girlfriend, who had been living with him for eight months, said he flew into a jealous rage over her supposed flirting with his visiting friends.

Then he prevented her from leaving his apartment with her small child by pushing her and throwing her against walls, doors and furniture. Qui told police he "only was grabbing and holding her."

The affidavit says the apartment was in complete disarray with broken furniture and glass.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, the affidavit says police were called to Qui's apartment by a friend of Qui’s calling from outside to report that Qui was fighting with his girlfriend. Police said in the affidavit that when they arrived they could hear “a lot of banging around in the apartment” and “yelling and screaming” inside.

When Qui stepped outside at the request of his friend, the affidavit says, “he had blood all over his face, arms, legs" and his boxer shorts and tank top. Once outside, Qui was immediately handcuffed, according to the affidavit.

Bail was set at $20,000 for the two charges; Qui posted bond and was released later Saturday. He released a statement in an email to a local dining blog, saying he was innocent.

“On Saturday morning, I asked my friend to call the police to aid in an argument with my girlfriend that had escalated beyond my control. I was arrested and charged with two misdemeanors. I am innocent of the charge of assault,” Qui wrote.

“This situation made me realize that I need to take more time for my health and myself. I will be checking myself into a treatment facility in the coming days and I am appreciative of the support of my family, friends and partners. Thank you for respecting my privacy.”

Qui, who won Season 9 of Top Chef in 2012, moved to Austin in 2003 for culinary school.

Tom Colicchio, the head judge of Top Chef for 12 seasons, told Huffington Post in 2014 that Qui was his favorite winner and the "most talented" on the show to that point.

A message left for comment with the chef's restaurant in Austin, also called Qui, was not immediately returned Monday to the AP.

Qui also co-owns a group of restaurants and food trailers called East Side King, which sell Asian street food, and in early March opened a Japanese restaurant called Otoko at a local hotel. Qui also opened Pao by Paul Qui at a hotel in Miami Beach in December, his first restaurant outside of Austin.

Contributing: The Associated Press