Vivian Howard is heading back to television — and food lovers couldn’t be more excited. The award-winning chef, author, and restaurateur, who first captured audiences with her hit PBS series “A Chef’s Life”, is launching a brand-new show this fall.
Howard’s upcoming series, “Kitchen Curious,” premieres nationwide on PBS beginning October 6, 2025, and promises to bring her signature mix of southern charm, culinary know-how, and storytelling to a wider stage.
All About Vivian Howard’s New Show ‘Kitchen Curious’
Described by Howard as a “food variety show,” “Kitchen Curious” will explore ingredients, traditions, and culinary questions in an approachable way. In the show’s preview, Howard is seen visiting restaurants, shops, and local purveyors across the Carolinas, cooking in a studio kitchen, and tackling everyday food dilemmas.
“With ‘Kitchen Curious,’ I wanted to make a show that I felt like I needed to watch,” Howard explained in a press release. “There are millions of cooks, food fans, and general ‘experts’ with a platform these days… so many opinions, in fact, that even I have a hard time figuring out what to buy at the grocery store. ‘Kitchen Curious’ covers all those bases. I visit, shop, and spend time with certified experts. I go to ground zero of the questions we all have when we cook.”
The series will also feature guest appearances from notable chefs like Charleston’s Kevin Johnson of The Grocery, Lola Rose, and Shuai Wang of Jackrabbit Filly and King BBQ. Fans can also look forward to Howard’s approachable recipes featuring seasonal ingredients like butterbeans, pasta, and root vegetables.
‘A Chef’s Life’ Star Is Returning to Her Roots
Howard rose to fame through her acclaimed Kinston, North Carolina restaurant Chef & the Farmer, blending fine dining with regional southern traditions. Her Emmy and Peabody-winning PBS series “A Chef’s Life” documented her journey while celebrating eastern North Carolina’s food culture. She later expanded her reach with “Somewhere South.”
“Vivian makes cooking approachable for anyone with even the faintest curiosity,” producer Sheri Hirshman said of the new project. “I’ve learned more about producing this show than on any project I’ve worked on — not just about recipes and traditions, but about the science behind our choices and the nutritional myths we’re finally ready to bust.”
In the past year, Howard also reimagined her flagship restaurant, reopening it with two distinct experiences: The Counter at Chef & the Farmer, a casual spot featuring classics like flash-fried collards and blueberry barbecue chicken, and The Kitchen Bar, a fine dining concept where Howard herself cooks for guests one weekend a month.
“Kitchen Curious” will premiere on PBS nationwide on October 6, 2025, and will also stream on the PBS app.
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Famed ‘A Chef’s Life’ Star Vivian Howard Returns to TV This Fall