vivian howard (born 1978) is an american chef, restaurateur, author and television host. from 2013-2018, howard hosted the pbs television series "a chef's life" focusing on the ingredients and cooking traditions of eastern north carolina — using the backdrop of the "chef & the farmer" restaurant in kinston, north carolina, which howard co-owns with husband, business partner and artist, ben knight. in 2014, howard was the first woman since julia child to win a peabody award for a cooking program. in 2017, she authored an acclaimed cookbook and memoir, "deep run roots."