What happens when bold, globally inspired cooking meets deep cultural roots? In this episode, we sit down with Chef Tristen Epps—Top Chef Season 22 winner, James Beard Award semi-finalist, and Michelin-recognized chef—to explore his journey from a childhood spent across Guam, Japan, and the Philippines to leading acclaimed kitchens like Red Rooster Overtown and Ocean Social by Tristen Epps.
We talk about honoring Afro-Caribbean traditions, navigating TV competitions like Chopped and Top Chef, and using your platform to uplift underrepresented voices in the industry. If you love food, flavor, or a good underdog story, this one’s for you.
Tristan Epps Long Background:
Guest Background (Culinary History): Raised by a military mother, with a childhood spent across Guam, Japan, and the Philippines, where he developed a diverse palate and passion for international flavor. He made his national TV debut on ABC’s The Taste, later becoming a Chopped champion and appearing on Iron Chef and Best Thing I Ever Ate. As Executive Chef of Red Rooster Overtown in Miami, he helped earn recognition from the Michelin Guide and Condé Nast Traveler’s list of Top 12 Best New Restaurants in the World. Most recently, he received a 2024 James Beard semi-finalist nod for Ocean Social by Tristen Epps.
Socials
Sponsored by Ovention Ovens
