Chef and author Vivian Howard will deliver the keynote speech at the Women’s Professional Development Luncheon hosted by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce at Hotel Ballast in Wilmington on Aug. 14.

Howard will share stories of her path to success in a speech titled, "The Pressure to Have It All: Navigating Career, Family, and Fame with Vivian Howard."
 
“We are honored to welcome Vivian Howard as our keynote speaker,” said Natalie English, president and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. “Her multitude of awards, coupled with her down-to-earth nature, will allow the attendees insight into building a successful business that translates across multiple industries.”

Born in Deep Run,  Howard’s upbringing was steeped in the Southern traditions of her family and neighbors. After training under esteemed chefs in New York, Howard moved to Kinston in 2005 to open Chef & the Farmer. She now operates two additional restaurants in Kinston, the Boiler Room and the recently opened Handy & Hot, as well as Wilmington’s Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria.

“The addition of Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria in Wilmington has made a lasting impact on our business community,” said English. “Benny’s has helped transform the South Front community into a gathering place, along with bringing jobs into our community.”

Howard and her restaurants have won numerous accolades, including her selection as a five-time James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast. 

In 2012, Howard and director Cynthia Hill premiered A Chef’s Life, the award-winning documentary TV series celebrating the food traditions of eastern North Carolina. After five seasons, a Daytime Emmy, Peabody award, and James Beard award for Outstanding Personality/Host, the series has segued into a new series that is set to premiere later this year. The new hourlong, primetime series will tell food stories of the American South in the context of global food traditions.
 
Howard is also the author of Deep Run Roots: Stories and Recipes from My Corner of the South. Released in 2016, the cookbook was nominated for a James Beard award for the American Cooking category. Additionally, it was named Cookbook of the Year by the International Association of Culinary Professionals, and was selected as the winner of the 2017 Southern Book Prize for the Nonfiction – Cooking category.

The event will include a VIP ticket option along with luncheon seats. VIP ticketholders will receive a copy of Deep Run Roots, admission to a book signing with Vivian prior to the event, and seating at the luncheon.

VIP tickets are available until July 31, member price $99, non-member $109; Also available are Early Bird Luncheon Tickets, also available through July 31, member price $30, non-member $40, after July 31 luncheon prices increase $35 for members and $45 for non-members. For tickets call 762-2611, ext. 200.

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