Who Won Top Chef Season 22?

Who Won Top Chef Season 22?

After an emotionally charged and culinarily exceptional season, Tristen Epps-Long has been crowned the winner of Top Chef Season 22: Destination Canada, taking home the largest grand prize package in the show's history.

The Houston-based chef, originally from Virginia Beach, emerged victorious in Thursday night's finale against tough competition from Shuai Wang of Charleston and Chicago's Bailey Sullivan. Epps-Long's victory was particularly meaningful given the personal challenges he faced throughout the season.

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Culinary Excellence on Display

Throughout the season, Epps-Long consistently demonstrated what judges called "bold flavors, daring confidence and unbeatable cooking skills." His neo-Afro-Caribbean cuisine impressed the judging panel of host Kristen Kish, Tom Colicchio, and Gail Simmons week after week.

In the finale, served in Milan, Italy, Epps-Long's root vegetable cake with cassareep ice cream and charred plantain cream particularly stood out. Judge Carlo Cracco was moved to declare after just one bite: "This is a chef."

Tom Colicchio was so impressed by the final three's performance that he rushed into the kitchen mid-meal to personally congratulate the competitors—a rare display of enthusiasm from the typically composed head judge.

Top Chef Season 22 Prize Package

As the Season 22 winner, Epps-Long receives an unprecedented prize package that includes:

• $250,000 in prize money
• A feature in Food & Wine magazine
• An appearance at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
• $125,000 in Delta Air Lines flight credits and Diamond Medallion SkyMiles status
• A headlining dinner at the James Beard House in New York City
• The opportunity to present at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards

Representing Black Foodways

Epps-Long, who owns Epps & Flows Culinary in Houston, has been vocal about his mission to represent Black foodways at the highest culinary level. His background includes notable positions at Red Rooster in Miami, Ocean Social, and Cooks & Captains in Brooklyn.

Top Chef Season 22: A Canadian Adventure

This season, dubbed "Destination Canada," was filmed primarily in Toronto, Ontario, with additional episodes in Calgary and Canmore, Alberta. The season was produced in collaboration with Destination Canada tourism board, showcasing the country's diverse culinary landscape and ingredients.

The international finale in Milan provided a fitting backdrop for what many are calling one of the most competitive and emotionally resonant seasons in Top Chef history.

With his Top Chef victory, Epps-Long joins an elite group of culinary champions and positions himself as a rising star in the restaurant world. His win represents not just personal triumph, but a significant moment for representation in fine dining.

As judge Kristen Kish noted: "The finale of season 22, I'd say the chefs certainly delivered on a lot of promises to us, but also to themselves."

For Epps-Long, those promises have now been fulfilled in the most spectacular way possible.

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