Season 22 of Top Chef just wrapped, which means a new chef has been awarded the coveted title of Top Chef, along with a seriously sweet prize package. As the title suggests, Top Chef: Destination Canada took the long-running reality competition series to The Great White North, offering a look into the country’s vibrant culinary scene. Then, they jetted off to Milan for a two-part finale where they crowned a winner. Keep on reading to find out who came out on top.
Who is the Top Chef: Destination Chef winner in 2025?
Tristen Epps-Long was crowned the winner of Top Chef: Destination Canada. The Season 22 winner saw the largest prize in the history of the show awarded to him when the 2025 season ended.
Throughout Season 22, Tristen showcased his Afro-Caribbean cooking style. Sticking to his roots is what earned him the title of Top Chef. During the final meal in Milan, he presented the judges with a four-course progressive meal. He said it was meant to pay “homage to Italian cuisine through an Afro-Caribbean lens.” Can your taste buds even comprehend that sentence?
“I wanted to come on Top Chef to showcase Afro-Caribbean food and prove that it deserves a place in fine dining,” Tristen said of his cooking style.
He continued, “I didn’t do this for myself, nor did I get here on my own. I had a lot of support and people who believed in me that gave me the strength to not quit and keep pushing to the end of this incredible Top Chef journey. Now I just hope to be that same support, step or channel for someone else because that’s what others were for me.”
So, what exactly did Tristen win? Well, a whole lot. Along with the title of Top Chef, he walked away from the competition with a $250,000 prize. They gave him Diamond Medallion status on Delta Air Lines and a $125,000 flight credit. He also won a feature in Food & Wine magazine and an appearance at the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen.
As if that’s not enough, Top Chef also partnered with the James Beard House in New York for the first time. Tristen will headline an exclusive dinner. Plus, he’s presenting at the annual James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago on Monday, June 16. To say this win is life-changing would be an understatement.
Top Chef is streaming on Peacock and Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
TELL US – DID YOU ENJOY TOP CHEF: DESTINATION CANADA 2025? WHO WAS YOUR PICK TO WIN?
