A Chef's Life

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.

I like the show. Except every show. It's poor me. Exhausting. Should be a little more how lucky we are. And more everyday people food friendly recipes.

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.

I caught this series during the pandemic, and just again saw it on PBS. I was first taken with how beautiful and real some of the farms and fields of rural North Carolina are. But then all the other special things about this show started to unfold: Vivian's growing relationship with a black farmer, Ms Lilly, who slowly begins showing and teaching her some cooking methods of her own. The insecurities and doubts Vivian wrestles with, as she continues to grow as a person and chef. And the places she visits locally to show the viewer things about North Carolina you'd likely never discover unless you stayed there for an extended time (ie all the dried, cured meats).

The words of the theme song say everything about this show. It's special.