Houston’s Culinary Scene Gets a Boost
Houston has played a leading role in America’s culinary scene, but the city has never been home to a Top Chef winner — until now. Chef Tristen Epps has earned the title and a $250,000 cash prize in the final episode of season 22.
The Winning Menu
Epps secured his victory by remaining true to the Afro-Caribbean cuisine that helped him win an impressive four Elimination Challenge wins and $35,000 in additional prize money. His four-course menu took a panel of celebrity judges on a journey that also referenced the finale location of Milan, Italy. The menu included Chicken “Durango” with injera shrimp toast and shellfish jus, which referenced both the Ethiopian chicken stew doro wat and the Italian dish pollo durango.
Impressing the Judges
The judges were impressed by Epps’ dishes, particularly his Oxtail Milanese Crepinette with Carolina Gold rice grits, curry butter, and bone marrow gremolata. Top Chef alum and James Beard Award winner Gregory Gourdet praised Epps’ 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.”
Future Plans
Epps has been holding a series of pop-ups devoted to everything from hot dogs to steakhouses. Now, he can turn his attention to Buboy, a tasting menu concept that will celebrate the Afro-Caribbean cuisine he championed throughout his time on the show. Epps plans to use the prize money to open Buboy, which will offer a unique dining experience that is both fun and educational.
A Conversation with Tristen Epps
CultureMap caught up with Epps to talk about his victory and what’s next. 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.” Epps also felt like he had an advocate in the room with Gregory Gourdet on the panel, which made him feel more at ease.
The Importance of Winning
Epps felt a sense of responsibility to finish the job and use Afro-Caribbean cuisine to win the title. He said, “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.” Epps wanted to get it right for everyone who has made a step forward and created a ladder for him to climb.
The Last 12 Hours
Since the episode aired, Epps has received a lot of calls and congratulations from fans and celebrities alike. He even got a call from ESPN football commentator Mina Kimes, which he thought was really cool. Epps is excited to start working on Buboy and making his vision a reality.
Conclusion
Tristen Epps’ win on Top Chef is a significant moment for Houston’s culinary scene. His victory is a testament to the city’s diverse and vibrant food culture. With his plans to open Buboy, Epps is sure to bring a unique and exciting dining experience to the city. As he looks to the future, Epps is grateful for the opportunity to share his passion for Afro-Caribbean cuisine with the world.
