Born of Trinidadian roots, Chef Tristen Epps traces his interest in cooking back to his childhood, which was spent traveling the globe with his active military mother. Postings in Guam, Japan and the Philippines helped fuel his passion for international flavor; even as a youngster, he immersed himself in the food culture wherever they landed, developing his nuanced globally influenced palate. Since that time, he has cooked all over the United States and on three continents, continuing to expand his knowledge and ardor for new flavors.

He completed his bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts and Food & Beverage Industry Management at Johnson & Wales in Charlotte, NC.  Subsequently, he completed a grueling three-year apprenticeship at The Greenbrier, the legendary national historic landmark hotel, under the thoughtful and exacting eye of AFC certified Master Chef Richard Rosendale. From there he moved onto restaurants throughout the U.S., eventually finding his way onto a competitive cooking show, ABC’s The Taste, in 2014. There, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson became his on- and off-screen mentor, offering to move him to New York City to work at his wildly successful and acclaimed Red Rooster restaurant in Harlem. During his years working under Samuelsson, he was entrusted with projects in London, Sweden, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and more. After leaving for his first Executive Chef role helming Cooks & Captains in Brooklyn, New York, and a two-year stint in Denver, Epps ultimately returned to work with Samuelsson again when he was tapped to take on the role of executive chef for Red Rooster’s Miami offshoot, which is located in the historically black neighborhood of Overtown. 

Under his purview, the restaurant was recognized by the Michelin Guide, named among the Top 12 Best New Restaurants in the World by Condé Nast Traveler, and earned the title of Best Restaurant in Miami. Personal accolades followed, as he was named a Rising Star Chef by Star Chefs of America in 2021, Top 20 Under 40 Most Professional in Miami by Brickell Magazine in 2022, and 40 under 40 Black Professionals by Legacy Magazine in 2023.

Having moved on to run the culinary program at South Beach’s Eden Roc Hotel, Epps earned a James Beard Semi-Finalist nomination for Best Chef South in 2024 for his eponymous Ocean Social by Tristen Epps. 

Epps is known among his peers as a natural nurturer;a catalyst for creativity who is all about helping people to rise up. He is a passionate defender of the under-represented, using his position and platform to help bring recognition to the modernization of black diaspora foodways and other cultural influences on American cuisine that may otherwise be looked over.