at age 14, howard attended an all-female moravian boarding school, salem academy, in winston-salem, north carolina, and then spent two years at virginia episcopal school. in 2001, she earned her ba in english language from north carolina state university. during her time at ncsu, she studied abroad for a semester in argentina, as part of a culinary-themed program. after graduating, howard moved to new york city and began working in advertising for grey worldwide. she quit after 18 months and started working as a waitress at voyage restaurant. scott barton, the restaurant’s executive chef, became her early mentor.