Top Chef Season 22 Winner Tristen Epps on Food as Culture and Connection (S2, Ep 12)
Top Chef Season 22 Winner Tristen Epps on Food as Culture and Connection (S2, Ep 12)  
Podcast: The Real Connect
Published On: Wed Jan 14 2026
Description: This is for anyone who’s ever eaten something so good it felt like a memory and a hug at the same time because food isn’t just food, it’s connection.In this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with Top Chef Season 22 winner and Afro-Caribbean chef Tristen Epps for a conversation that goes way beyond the show. Tristen shares one of the most powerful compliments a chef can receive: not “this is delicious,” but “I’ve never felt so seen eating your food.” Tristen opens up about growing up as a military kid, moving 18 times, and learning how to adapt to new cultures across the U.S., Japan, the Philippines, Guam, and beyond. This conversation is equal parts thoughtful, funny, and grounding. Tristen breaks down the four reasons he cooks, why nostalgia and culture matter, what post-Top Chef life has been like, and how food can bridge people across backgrounds. This is a real one about connection, identity, culture, and the power of being seen.What You Will Hear About:1. Why the greatest compliment is “I’ve never felt so seen eating your food.”2. How Tristen’s Afro-Caribbean roots and global travel shaped his cooking.3. The four reasons he cooks: deliciousness, nostalgia, the “aha” moment, and feeling seen.4. What Tristen learned from living in Japan, the Philippines, and across the U.S.5. How culture impacts belonging, friendship, and the way we connect.6. Why people struggle to connect in new environments and how to adapt without losing yourself.7. What life is like after Top Chef, private dinners, sold-out events, and building a platform with purpose.🔗 Watch, subscribe, and share this episode if you care about culture, food, and the kind of connection that makes people feel seen. Connect with Tristen Epps on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheftristenepps/ or visit his website: https://www.eppsandflows.com/Connect with Tamika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp.Join The Connect—a free weekly newsletter with real insights on everything relationships! https://www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletterVisit Tamika's website: https://www.tamikacarlton.com to stay connected.00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections00:59 Travel and Cultural Experiences02:22 Post Top Chef Life03:17 Childhood and Culinary Beginnings14:41 Top Chef Journey17:40 Career Reflections and Inspirations28:56 Celebrating Afro-Caribbean Culture29:36 The Untold Story of Afro-Caribbean Cuisine30:02 Connecting Through Food34:36 The Journey to Top Chef36:22 Family Support and Sacrifices39:57 Perseverance Through Loss43:06 Favorite Dishes and Culinary Inspirations48:04 Future Plans and Collaborations51:34 Speed Round: Quickfire Questions#TheRealConnectPodcast #TamikaCarlton #TristenEpps #TopChef #ChefLife #AfroCaribbeanCuisine #FoodCulture #Friendship