‘Top Chef’ Winner Tristen Epps Takes Over Red Rooster Overtown | Eater Miami

"Starting Friday, July 25, Epps will return to the kitchen at the Marcus Samuelsson restaurant where he previously served as executive chef, serving dishes from his tenure there as well as Afro‑Caribbean fare that will appear on the new Houston restaurant's menu. Classics from his time include the Rooster Royale (a whole chicken with tamarind‑malta glaze), crispy green tomatoes with comeback sauce, oxtail fried rice, and tuna crudo with Cuban coffee ponzu. Chef‑owner Marcus Samuelsson says, “Working with Tristen has always been an absolute joy. He’s a chef with deep creativity, heart, and an incredible sense of purpose. His return to [this restaurant] is a full‑circle moment, and I’m thrilled to collaborate with him again and feature some of his incredible new dishes from [the new restaurant].” While cooking for a Miami audience, Epps says he leans into Afro‑Latin and Caribbean‑Latin cuisine: “I can celebrate that side of the diaspora, which includes Colombia, Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and more. Miami is a rich tapestry of all of those cultures, and it makes for a beautiful celebration of cuisine.”" - Erin Perkins