In this episode of Repertoire, Chef Sammy Monsour heads to Deep Run, North Carolina to sit down with the legendary Vivian Howard—chef, restaurateur, television host, cookbook author, and one of the most celebrated culinary voices of the South.

Vivian first captured national attention with her Emmy Award–winning PBS series A Chef’s Life, which spotlighted the food traditions of eastern North Carolina. The show not only earned her a James Beard Award for Outstanding Host but also made her the first woman since Julia Child to win a Peabody for a cooking program. She has since gone on to author two acclaimed cookbooks, including the New York Times bestseller Deep Run Roots, and continues to evolve her culinary vision through multiple restaurants across North Carolina and Charleston, SC

In this candid, unfiltered conversation, Sammy and Vivian cover a wide range of topics—from squash blossoms, figs, and muscadine grapes to the art of questioning culinary traditions and creating new ones. Vivian reflects on her early influences, the isolation of building Chef & the Farmer in Kinston, the importance of travel and mentorship, and how her storytelling spirit has shaped both her television career and her cooking.

The two chefs dive deep into the evolution of Southern cuisine, exploring its roots, cultural ownership, and the ways it continues to grow through global influences. Vivian shares hard-earned lessons on balance, creativity, and what it really means to carry the weight of both a community and a national platform.

This is more than just a conversation about food—it’s about resilience, identity, and redefining success on your own terms.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.