Fans of Top Chef and Afro-Caribbean cuisine take note: Tristen Epps, who emerged as the winner in the 22nd season of the popular culinary show, is set to stir things up at Red Rooster Overtown, embracing his previous role in the kitchen where he once shone. Started yesterday, this limited dinner series not only marks Epps’ return to the Miami hotspot but also serves as an exciting preview of his upcoming Houston venture, Buboy. According to Eater Miami, diners can expect a dynamic mix of Red Rooster favorites and innovative Afro-Caribbean dishes that will feature at Buboy, with signature offerings like the Rooster Royale and oxtail fried rice on the menu.
While each pop-up tour stop is an opportunity for Epps to showcase his evolving culinary mastery, the dinners he's hosting in Miami have a theme that reflects both his past contributions to Red Rooster Overtown and the unique cultural tapestry of Miami itself, bringing in flavors from various corners of the Caribbean and Latin America, something he told Eater Miami, he wants to celebrate the social, cultural and economic impacts of the Transatlantic Slave Trade to tell the broader story of cuisine and history; in striking contrast with Houston’s focus, where he leans more into West African and Asian influences with a heavy emphasis on meats.
Both guests and the man himself share a sense of excitement for this culinary reunion. "Red Rooster Overtown was a defining chapter in my career, it’s where I found my rhythm as a chef and built something meaningful with an incredible team," chef Epps shared in a statement obtained by Modern Luxury. Marcus Samuelsson, the chef and owner of Red Rooster, reciprocates this sentiment, saying, “Working with Tristen has always been an absolute joy. He’s a chef with deep creativity, heart, and an incredible sense of purpose,” as he remarked in the same publication. Samuelsson expressed his enthusiastic endorsement for the collaboration which will reimagine some of Epps’ most memorable dishes from his era at Red Rooster.
For those eager to dive into this gastronomic experience, reservations and details on dates and menus are made available online - a hint that planning in advance is wise. Given the limited nature of Epps’ engagement at Red Rooster Overtown and the buzz his upcoming Buboy restaurant has already generated, it’s likely tables will fill up fast as diners seek a taste of his innovative approach to the rich traditions of Afro-Caribbean cooking, which he's been curating since winning Top Chef; eager food enthusiasts can visit Eater Miami for further details on securing a spot at this anticipated dinner series.
