A Chef's Life

A Chef's Life is as entertaining and realistic as reality TV can get. Vivian and Ben are natural on the screen and conversations are not contrived. This show is not only great for learning great recipes, but it is fun to watch because you actually care about the people. It is also a nice window into the lives of real people in rural North Carolina. The show does not, however portray these people as rednecks, hicks or stereotypes. All in all a binge worthy and entertaining watch.

There are a lot of cooking shows, some instructional, some merely exist as platforms to display contrived drama. This show is real. Warts and all. Learning anything about the cooking process or generic intricacies of the restaurant business is secondary.

What allows this show to stand out in comparison to others is the lack of pretension. The interface of those on camera is fantastic and genuine. The viewer is being allowed a real glimpse into others' private lives. And Chef Vivian, via her narration, shares her personal thoughts and feeling as she displays a gamut of emotions, from happiness to sorrow.

It's real. Very real. I highly recommend it.

The show is about the trials and tribulations of trying to run a unique farm to table restaurant. The chef, Vivian Howard and her husband, Ben Knight, were not created for television, but simply show what it's like struggling with raising a family, running a business, and trying to be creative.

It's fun watching the daily efforts of a restaurant being the fly on the wall. We get to see what it looks like from the back of house, we get to hear about the stress of exhaustive daily effort, and we see the success and failure from a seemingly honest point of view. Vivian Howard and company make each episode interesting and educational.

I enjoy watching "A Chef's Life". Sure, there are 'Reality TV' moments that seem a bit contrived and the occasional scripted moments. But, all and all, it's fun. Haters Gonna Hate, but I will come back and watch each and every episode. I Love It.

As a North Carolinian, I can honestly say this show makes us all proud. Vivian takes southern food from her childhood and locals and elevates it to a superior level, showing that she is a great chef. It is not some fake reality show that uses a script. Vivian is very real and funny, often laughing at the craziness of it all. She will make you cry sometimes, and you will feel like you can't get enough of it. I am astonished by people who say she can't relate to people or is boring. That is crazy. Yes, she and her husband don't the perfect relationship, but who does?? At least its not some sugar coated crap that shows a fake view of the world. It is an honest portrayal of the south and I think the song lyrics in the theme say it all: Why cant you see yourself as beautiful as I see you"..

I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE A Chef's LIfe. Vivian (and Ben) are great to watch. I enjoy watching it more than ANY show on the Food Network. I no longer subscribe to cable and don't miss it one bit. This is a quality show that really enhances my at-home cooking skills and knowledge of food. I love the way Vivian infuses local ingredients into her cooking and restaurant menu. I also especially LOVE the authentic "southern" (or eastern to be more exact) cooking instruction offered by Lily; I am glad they allow her to be who she is. Warren is also an asset to the show; I am impressed with his garden and knowledge of ingredients (food).

It is so refreshing to watch and listen to someone is REAL. I even like Vivian's drawl. The shows does not appear to be scripted as other shows. I ALSO like seeing the pre-opening staff meetings. Great stuff! It is so impressive when the wait staff really knows the foods that are offered on the menu.

This is an authentic show!!!!

I hope to one day be a patron of Chef and the Farmer restaurant.