Introduction to Chef Tristen Epps
Chef Tristen Epps, the winner of season 22 of Top Chef, recently joined CultureMap editor Eric Sandler on the podcast "What’s Eric Eating." Their conversation covered Epps’ journey to becoming a chef, his experience on Top Chef, and his plans to open a restaurant in Houston.
Early Life and Career
Epps developed an interest in cooking while watching TV shows overseas as the son of a career army soldier. He eventually made his way to Houston, where he worked at several notable restaurants, including Quattro, The Pass & Provisions, and The Inn at Dos Brisas. After coming in second on the reality TV competition show The Taste, he moved to New York and learned from his mentor, superstar chef Marcus Samuelsson.
Top Chef Experience
Epps decided to apply for Top Chef after seeing that other chefs who utilized Afro-Caribbean flavors could be taken seriously by the show’s judges. He earned victories in both Quickfire and Elimination Challenges, including the critical "Restaurant Wars" challenge. When asked at what point in the competition he started to realize he could win, Epps said, "After the pizza challenge is when I was like, okay, I think I’m a good cook. I stressed about making the right decisions, and they were paying off — even for things I didn’t want to cook. Maybe if I can cook things I actually want to cook, I can crush this."
Future Plans
Epps intends to open a tasting menu concept called Buboy in Houston at some point next year. Listeners can hear more about his plans and updates on the restaurant in the full episode of the podcast.
Houston Food News
In another episode of the podcast, Sandler and co-host Felice Sloan discussed the news of the week, including the departure of chef Kate McLean from Tony’s, the upcoming closure of Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, and Chopnblok earning a place on the New York Times.
Restaurant Reviews
Sloan and Sandler also reviewed several restaurants in Houston, including Butter Funk Kitchen, a modern soul food restaurant in South Houston, and Southern Jerks, a Caribbean-inspired fried chicken restaurant that operates out of a gas station in the Champions area of north Houston.
Conclusion
The podcast "What’s Eric Eating" provides an inside look at the Houston food scene, with interviews from top chefs and reviews of local restaurants. By tuning in, listeners can stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in the culinary world. The podcast is available on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and airs Sunday at 9 am on ESPN 97.5.
