The popular reality television series Top Chef recently wrapped up its twenty-second season this week. The culinary competition crowned its winner after fourteen weeks, with the Canada-based 22nd season featuring the show’s largest cash prize. In the end, the winner took home a massive $250,000 paycheck along with other perks.
After a series of gruelling challenges, both on and off the screen, fan-favorite Houston-based chef Tristen Epps-Long took home the cash prize. However, Tristen faced a major personal loss heading into the finale and had to overcome it to leave as the winner of Top Chef season 22, and here is everything you need to know about his road to victory.
Tristen Epps-Long won Top Chef season 22’s $250k grand prize
Top Chef season 22, subtitled Destination Canada, premiered on March 13, 2025, and concluded its run on June 12, 2025. The finale saw the final three chefs Shuai Wang, Tristen Epps-Long, and Bailey Sullivan face off for the crown.
After the chefs presented a four-course meal to the judges at the Cracco in Galleria, Tristen was crowned the winner of Top Chef season 22. Earlier in the season, Tristen had won the Quickfire Challenge twice, in weeks 6 and 13, making him a strong fan-favorite for the finale.
He had also emerged as the Elimination Challenge winner four times, making his way to the finale. In the finale, Tristen was crowned the winner, earning him the $250k grand prize, the largest in the series’ history.
The winner also received additional perks, including $125,000 in Delta Air Lines flight credits, a headlining dinner at the James Beard House in New York City. Additionally, Tristen also earned a feature in Food & Wine magazine and an appearance at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen.
Tristen Epps-Long’s father passed away before the Top Chef season 22 finale
Tristen’s road to victory was an emotional journey, which often allowed the Houston-based chef to showcase his culture and background. In the process, Tristen also had to overcome a personal tragedy as his father passed away from a stroke during the filming of episode 8, which aired in May 2025.
Following the episode’s airing, Tristen took to Instagram, where he shared a heartfelt post for his late father, Russell Long. Despite the personal tragedy, Tristen soldiered on in the competition, ultimately emerging as the winner and creating a $250k legacy that will only take his career to new heights.
In the finale, Tristen made the following statement regarding his decision not to quit the competition following his father’s tragic demise (via Bravo TV):
Somebody believed in me enough on their deathbed for me to stay. I’m so happy I made it worth it.
Tristen was brought up as a Trinidadian-American military kid, and the African-Caribbean cuisine’s influence on his food was visible throughout his run on the series. He currently owns and operates Epps & Flows Culinary in Houston and is set to launch a new project, named Buboy.
Top Chef is currently streaming on Peacock TV (USA).
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