Vivian Howard’s Kitchen Curious

Vivian Howard to launch third network series this month.

Yes, chef! On the heels of her uberpopular TV run, NC-bred celeb chef and author Vivian Howard—known for A Chef’s Life and Somewhere South—is cooking up a new show, launching Oct. 6 on PBS. 

Created for curious home cooks and kitchen connoisseurs alike, the aptly named Kitchen Curious series dives into pressing everyday questions we all face when it comes to food and cooking. And, no, this isn’t half-baked info you’d scroll past on TikTok.

“You’re not learning from a number of voices like on social media,” maintains the restaurateur, who also owns The Counter @ Chef & the Farmer in Kinston, Lenoir and Handy & Hot in Charleston, and Theodosia in OBX. “It was really important to me to have this information be trustworthy and rooted in science. … I want the show to clear out the clutter of misinformation as it relates to our kitchens.”

Each ep tackles a culinary theme in three bites: quick cooking demos, a grocery run with a nutritionist and a field trip tied to the topic. While most of the action was filmed in Charleston and Eastern NC, Howard hints at a surprise location that ended up stealing her heart. 

Topics jump from rice and beans as a complete protein (yep, there’s a science to it) to hacks for using your freezer like a kitchen superhero—plus spotlights on cast iron pans, pasta, fats and seed oils. And Howard promises some takeaways that will surprise —and even relieve—you by cutting through the kitchen myths.

“I’m learning too,” she adds. “One of the things I really enjoyed about early seasons of A Chef’s Life and all of Somewhere South is that I got to be a student. Watching me fumble with these ideas—for one it’s fun, but it’s also approachable.” Consider it a full-course binge.   

Kitchen Queen
Vivian Howard is also set to serve up prepared food a la Viv’s Fridge (sans the fridge) at Anthony Guerra’s new St. Pierre wine shop + bar at Raleigh Iron Works. “I’ve always been a big fan of Anthony’s,” she says, “and this is a safe way to dip our toes into the Triangle market.”

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