Tristen Epps-Long on Fast Food Beginnings, Michelin’s Race Problem, and Becoming a Top Chef Champion!!

The Chef's Cut

Reigning Top Chef champion Tristen Epps-Long joins Adrienne and Joe to talk about life after Top Chef, fine dining in Afro-Caribbean cuisine, and what comes after Top Chef (including his new restaurant in Houston). In this episode, we also discuss:

  • Top Chef favorites this season and his best advice for getting through it all

  • Who Tristen would want to face off against in a Top Chef Masters season

  • Whether Michelin is racist or cuisineist

  • Tristen and Adrienne’s time together at Red Rooster

  • His ascent from McDonald’s to James Beard nominee and cooking competition champ

  • The role of Marcus Samuelsson in his career

  • What life after Top Chef is really like for chefs

  • The culinary scene in Houston

  • Walk In Confession: Booking reservations on Open Table to get out of work early 

Follow Tristen: @cheftristenepps 

Follow the show: @chefscutpod

Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham 

Follow Joe: @insta.flamm


More description

Reigning Top Chef champion Tristen Epps-Long joins Adrienne and Joe to talk about life after Top Chef, fine dining in Afro-Caribbean cuisine, and what comes after Top Chef (including his new restaurant in Houston). In this episode, we also discuss:

  • Top Chef favorites this season and his best advice for getting through it all

  • Who Tristen would want to face off against in a Top Chef Masters season

  • Whether Michelin is racist or cuisineist

  • Tristen and Adrienne’s time together at Red Rooster

  • His ascent from McDonald’s to James Beard nominee and cooking competition champ

  • The role of Marcus Samuelsson in his career

  • What life after Top Chef is really like for chefs

  • The culinary scene in Houston

  • Walk In Confession: Booking reservations on Open Table to get out of work early 

Follow Tristen: @cheftristenepps 

Follow the show: @chefscutpod

Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham 

Follow Joe: @insta.flamm


2026-05-11 52 min
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