Tristen Epps

I was born of a Trinidadian heritage and grew up with a single mom in the military, moving around the country and the world. We lived in Guam, the Philippines, and Portugal, with stints in Japan, Hong Kong, California, Florida, Connecticut, and Virginia. My adventurous palate was developed on Friday night dinners with my mother and grandmother, trying new restaurants and new flavors wherever we lived. Many places didn’t have kid’s menus, and I was encouraged to order off of the regular menus so that I could embrace the differences in cuisines. Those experiences, coupled with the food my grandmother, such as rich curries and Caribbean food of Trinidad made me really appreciate gastronomy way past hamburgers and pizza.