Introduction to Chef Tristen Epps
Chef Tristen Epps recently joined CultureMap editor Eric Sandler on the podcast "What’s Eric Eating" to discuss his remarkable journey. Epps, the winner of season 22 of Top Chef, shared his experiences and plans for the future, including opening 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 renowned 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.
Winning Top Chef
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 replied, "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."
Future Plans
Epps intends to open a tasting menu concept called Buboy in Houston next year. He shared an update on his plans during the podcast, giving listeners a glimpse into what they can expect from his upcoming restaurant.
Other Episodes and Discussions
In another episode of "What’s Eric Eating," Sandler and co-host Felice Sloan discussed the news of the week, including Kate McLean’s departure from Tony’s and the upcoming closure of Bosscat Kitchen & Libations. They also visited and reviewed several restaurants, including Butter Funk Kitchen, a modern soul food restaurant in South Houston, and Southern Jerks, a Caribbean-inspired fried chicken restaurant.
Conclusion
Chef Tristen Epps’ journey to winning Top Chef is an inspiring story of hard work and determination. His plans to open a restaurant in Houston are exciting, and foodies can look forward to trying his Afro-Caribbean-inspired dishes. To stay up-to-date on the latest food news and trends, listeners can tune in to "What’s Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever they listen to podcasts, or catch the show on Sunday at 9 am on ESPN 97.5.
