Houston’s Culinary Scene Gets a Boost
Houston has been a major player in America’s culinary scene, but until recently, it had never been home to a Top Chef winner. That all changed when chef Tristen Epps took home the top prize in season 22 of the popular cooking show.
The Winning Menu
Epps’ victory was thanks in large part to his Afro-Caribbean cuisine, which wowed the judges with its bold flavors and creative twists. His four-course menu took the judges on a journey through the flavors of Milan, Italy, with dishes like Chicken "Durango" with injera shrimp toast and shellfish jus, and Oxtail Milanese Crepinette with Carolina Gold rice grits, curry butter, and bone marrow gremolata.
A Nod to History
Epps’ menu was not only delicious, but also historically significant. His second course, Chicken "Durango", referenced both the Ethiopian chicken stew doro wat and the Italian dish pollo durango, highlighting the complex history of imperialism between the two countries. The judges were impressed by Epps’ attention to detail and his ability to balance flavors and textures.
Praise from the Judges
Top Chef alum and James Beard Award winner Gregory Gourdet was particularly impressed by Epps’ oxtail dish, saying "Historically, we’ve been underserved oxtail… Tristen took the time to pull it, create that beautiful, huge, maybe too big, portion of oxtail. And cover it with that gremolata. He did not forget the bone marrow. That’s very, very smart."
What’s Next for Tristen Epps
Now that Epps has taken home the top prize, he can focus on his new restaurant concept, Buboy, which will celebrate the Afro-Caribbean cuisine that he showcased on the show. Epps has been holding a series of pop-ups around Houston, introducing the city to his unique flavor profile and building a loyal following.
A Conversation with Tristen Epps
CultureMap caught up with Epps to talk about his victory and what’s next for the talented chef. When asked about the day he cooked the final dinner, Epps said "It was an extreme amount of focus. A lot of writing in my notebook. I didn’t want to laugh. I didn’t want to cry or do anything except finish the job, regardless of whatever the outcome would have been."
Feeling Supported
Epps also talked about seeing Gregory Gourdet on the panel, saying "I felt like I had kind of an advocate. I was worried my food would be too spicy or too overpowering [for the European chefs]. Seeing Gregory was really good, especially with what I was doing."
The Importance of Representation
Epps emphasized the importance of representing Afro-Caribbean cuisine on the show, saying "To me that was super important. There’s adventurous people who make phenomenal food. They’ll go once because it’s interesting, but they’re usually skeptical. When you don’t nail it, they say, that’s why I go to the regular places that are familiar… Finishing the job was really important to me. People have come up short on this. I wanted to get this right for everyone who’s made that step forward and created the ladder."
The Prize Money
Epps plans to use the $250,000 prize money to launch his new restaurant, Buboy. He’s been holding pop-ups around the city, but now he can focus on making his dream a reality.
Conclusion
Tristen Epps’ victory on Top Chef is a significant moment for Houston’s culinary scene, and a testament to the power of Afro-Caribbean cuisine. With his new restaurant, Buboy, Epps is sure to bring a unique and exciting flavor profile to the city, and inspire a new generation of chefs and food lovers. As Epps looks to the future, he’s grateful for the support of his fans and the opportunity to share his passion with the world.
