{"id":144707,"date":"2026-01-30T23:31:37","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T23:31:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/144707\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T23:31:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T23:31:37","slug":"tristen-epps-journey-is-rooted-in-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/144707\/","title":{"rendered":"Tristen Epps\u2019 journey is rooted in culture"},"content":{"rendered":"

Houston \u2013 Houston is home to the most recent winner of Top Chef, Tristen Epps.<\/a> He\u2019s a well-traveled chef whose culinary journey spans the globe\u2014from the small Twin Islands of Trinidad and Tobago to some of the world\u2019s most renowned kitchens. On Houston Life<\/a>, Epps shared how his heritage and international military experiences have shaped his unique approach to food, and why he believes Caribbean cuisine deserves a place on the fine-dining stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cFood connects the world,\u201d Epps said. \u201cI would have never found peace in all my moves and all my time without food connecting me to whoever was there. The easiest way to find common ground is to share a meal.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Epps, the kitchen has always been home. Growing up, dinner meant gathering in the kitchen with family a tradition that instilled both comfort and passion for cooking. He credits his mother, a single parent who made dining out a ritual, for laying the foundation of his culinary curiosity and love of flavors from every culture they encountered on their travels.<\/p>\n

Epps\u2019 career has been equally diverse, from working at McDonald\u2019s, Applebee\u2019s and Dave and Busters to a three-Michelin-star restaurant and cooking alongside some of the most notable chef. Now, he aims to use his platform to inspire others. \u201cYour Chipotle today, tomorrow you can be running a restaurant in France,\u201d he said. \u201cYou can win Top Chef. You can open a restaurant. That\u2019s what I want. To mold other people through the experiences I\u2019ve had.\u201d<\/p>\n

His restaurant, Buboy, will reflect a reflection of both his multicultural heritage and culinary philosophy. Named after his grandfather\u2019s nickname, Buboy is inspired by the rich tapestry of Trinidadian culture, blending African, Indian, Chinese, Latin, Dutch, and British influences into modern Caribbean fine dining. Epps hopes to elevate Caribbean cuisine so diners can experience its complexity and vibrancy alongside French, Latin, or African cuisines at the same level of respect.<\/p>\n

Epps gave us a peek into his creative process in the kitchen, demonstrating a modern twist on corn soup, a Trini street food, except he elevated it with Korean rice cakes and lobster. <\/p>\n

On February 5, Epps will kick off Black History Month with a special dinner <\/a>benefiting Houston\u2019s Classically Black organization. The evening will feature a luxurious five-course meal inspired by visual artist Kehinde Wiley, with dishes that are floral, vibrant, and modern yet rooted in African history. Guests will have the chance to experience Epps\u2019 culinary artistry firsthand while supporting scholarships and opportunities for young Black artists in classical and fine arts.<\/p>\n

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