Chef Tristen Epps
The winner of Top Chef Season 22, Tristen Epps-Long is a Caribbean-American chef who focuses on neo Afro-Caribbean cuisine in a fine-dining format. He honed his craft in Michelin-star restaurants, eventually earning his own Michelin recognition as the executive chef at Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster in Miami and receiving Star Chef’s Rising Star Chef award. His diverse travels—from Guam, to Stockholm, to West Virginia to New York—have shaped his worldview and profoundly influenced his culinary approach. After relocating back to Houston with the goal of opening his own restaurant, Tristen founded Epps & Flows Culinary, a platform for collaborative dinners showcasing his neo Afro-Caribbean cuisine. He is currently laying the groundwork for two exciting concepts Buboy, a woodfired Afro-Caribbean tasting menu, as well as a casual hot dog bar that reimagines the beloved staple with bold flavors and unique toppings.