What does legacy taste like? For Top Chef Season 22 winner Tristen Epps, it’s bold, layered, unapologetic—and deeply personal.

In this episode of Eat Your Content, I sit down with the chef who not only dominated the competition with the most wins in the season’s history but used every plate as a platform. Chef Tristen breaks down his philosophy of "uncolonizing cuisine," and how he’s flipping the script on what fine dining should look like.

We dive deep into:

• The cultural power behind his signature oxtail Milanese dish and why it brought Afro-Caribbean, Southern, and European flavors full circle
• The emotional toll of Restaurant Wars and how his teammates helped carry him through tragedy
• The late-night lightbulb moment that turned a dreaded foraging challenge into a winning dish
• Why he believes it’s time to redefine "mother sauces" and push culinary history past the French narrative
• His plans to open Buboy, a Houston-based tasting menu restaurant rooted in his family’s story, and the legacy he hopes to build for future chefs
• This is more than a Top Chef recap—this is a conversation about reclaiming culture, telling the truth through food, and building something that lasts far beyond one season.

🔗 Whether you’re a foodie, chef, or just someone who believes food is more than what’s on the plate, this one’s for you.

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Follow Chef Tristen Epps: @cheftristenepps
https://www.eppsandflows.com/

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