Vivian Howard

Vivian Howard, Chef and Owner of Boiler Room, Benny's Big Time Pizzeria, and Chef & The Farmer in Kinston, NC, shares her career timeline and advice for up-and-coming professionals.

“I love kitchen culture - the shared creative spirit and generous nature of this work. I’m driven by collaboration and feeding people both physically and emotionally.„

EXPERIENCE

2017 - Preset
Chef/Owner
Benny's Big Time Pizzeria
Wilmington, NC

2017 - Preset
Chef/Owner
Boiler Room
Kinston, NC

June 2006 - Present
Chef/Owner
Chef & The Farmer
Kinston, NC

February 2004 - September 2004
Chef de Partie - Steam Station
Spice Market
New York, NY

September 2003 - February 2004
Pastry and Savory Intern
WD-50
New York, NY

October 2001 - January 2003
Server
Voyage, Greenwich Village
New York, NY

EDUCATION

June 2003 - December 2003
Culinary Arts Program Graduate
Institute of Culinary Education
New York, NY

1996 - 2000
Bachelor of Arts - English Language
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC

Send Us Your Nominations

If you know of any extraordinary food, beverage and hospitality professionals who inspire others through their hard work and leadership, nominate them now!

Nominate

Search industry jobs here

Inspirational Career Timelines

Find your inspiration in the unique career timelines and words of advice these industry leaders have shared.

Categories: Culinary
Pastry & Baking
Wine & Beverage
Service
Office & Admin
Media
Experience: Career Changer
International Experience
James Beard Award

Oops! No results have been found for your selection.

Please update your selection to see more Inspirational Career Timelines.

Simon Kim
Proprietor
Cote Korean Steakhouse

Emery Whalen
CEO/Co-Owner
QED Hospitality

Jason Neve
Executive Chef
Rooster’s Wood Fired Kitchen

Rose Noel
Executive Chef
Maialino Mare

Ryan Pera
Chef and Co-Owner
Agricole Hospitality

Jennifer Leuzzi
Host & Producer
Tech Bites

Cannon Porter
Associate Partner
Aba, Beatrix Fulton Market, Ema, The Dalcy (LEYE)

Joey Ward
Executive Chef and Owner
Southern Belle & Georgia Boy

Deanne Steffen Chinn
Corporate Pastry Chef
Big Heart Hospitality

Alain Verzeroli
Director of Culinary Operations
Invest Hospitality

Erica James
General Manager
Momotaro and the Izakaya

Thomas Keller
Chef/Proprietor
Chef, Restaurateur, and Cookbook Author

Jasmine Crowe
Founder & CEO
Goodr

Angie Rito
Chef/Partner
Don Angie & Quality Italian

Chris Shepherd
Chef/Owner
Underbelly Hospitality & Southern Smoke

Grant Achatz
Chef and Owner
The Alinea Group

Kimberly Galban
Senior Executive Service and Operations Director
Hogsalt

Ian Rynecki
Executive Chef
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards

Erin Smith
Chef/Owner
Feges BBQ

Ghaya Oliveira
Executive Pastry Chef
Daniel

Jason Pfeifer
Director of Culinary Operations
Manhatta

Carlin Karr
Wine Director
Frasca Food and Wine, Inc.

Alexander Harris
Culinary Director
Emma’s Torch

Jonathan Benno
Chef
Leonelli Restaurants

Samantha Sherman
NYC Director of Sales & Marketing
Cushman Concepts

Ian Purkayastha
Founder
Regalis Foods

Karen Bornarth
Head of Workforce Development
Hot Bread Kitchen

Kevin Boehm
Co-Owner
Boka Restaurant Group

Bill Nevruz
Vice President and Executive Partner
Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants

Stephanie Jackson
Chief People Officer
Aurify Brands

Mailea Weger
Chef/Owner
LOU

Jessamyn Waldman Rodriguez
Managing Director
Daily Provisions

Brent Braun
General Manager, Partner, and Wine Director
OK Omens and Castagna

Victoria James
Beverage Director & Partner
Cote Korean Steakhouse

Daniel Gibson
Service Manager
Blue Hill At Stone Barns

Eduardo Porto Carreiro
Beverage Director
Rocket Farm Restaurants

Junghyun ‘JP’ Park
Chef/Owner
Atoboy and Atomix

Ashley M. Abodeely
Executive Chef
The Firehouse Hotel

Jennifer Bell
Chief Marketing Officer
Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises

Nicholas Tang
Executive Chef
DBGB Kitchen & Bar

Rhadia Hursey
President
New York Women's Culinary Alliance

Scott Weiner
President
Fifty/50 Management Group, Inc

Julie Qiu
Oyster Sommelier & Founder
In A Half Shell

Tab Volpe
Pastry Chef
No. 9 Park

Nadine Donovan
Executive Pastry Chef
Ace Eat Serve & Ace Juice Bar

Nicholas J. Bathurst
Director of Hospitality
Backal Hospitality Group

Jennifer Foucher
Head Sommelier
Fiola

Jack McGarry
Managing Partner
The Dead Rabbit and BlackTail

Anna McGorman
Director of Culinary Operations
Milk Bar

Brad Kilgore
Chef/Owner
Alter, Kaido, and Ember

Renata Ameni
Executive Pastry Chef
Crown Shy

Neal Fraser
Executive Chef and Owner
Redbird, Vibiana, Fritzi

Jiho Kim
Executive Pastry Chef
The Modern

Pascaline Lepeltier
Meilleur Ouvrier de France, Best Sommelier de France, Master Sommelier, & Managing Partner
Racines NY

Bobby Stuckey
Owner and Master Sommelier
Frasca Food and Wine Group

Eric Bost
Chef and Owner
Auburn

Jen Pelka
Founder, CEO & Owner
Magnum PR and The Riddler

Tony Carson
General Manager
The Modern

Peter Hoglund
Director of Operations and Partner
Frasca Food and Wine

Sandra Schäuffele
Assistant General Manager
Per Se

Greg Baxtrom
Chef and Owner
Olmsted

Julia Turshen
Writer and Cookbook Author
Self-Employed

Harlan Scott
President
Harlan Scott Hospitality

Jeff Katz
Partner
The Restaurants at 70 Pine

Paige Lombardi
Chef de Cuisine
Oleana

Steven Satterfield
Co-Owner and Executive Chef
Miller Union

Lindsey Bittner
Pastry Chef
Leonelli Restaurants

Cliff Mori
Founder and President
BREW-Ed Brewery Tours

Jordan Salcito
Founder / CEO
RAMONA

Hans Luttmann
Director of Hospitality & Managing Partner
Rossoblu

Pat O'Malley
Pastry Chef and Owner
Hungry Pigeon

Lena Ciardullo
Executive Chef
Union Square Cafe

Carina Barrera
General Manager
The Charter Oak

Spike Mendelsohn
Executive Chef
Vim and Victor at The St. James Sports and Wellness Complex

Stephen Forman
Executive Chef
KeyBank Center - Delaware North

Sam Pogue
Principal
Paper to Table

Sabato Sagaria
Master Sommelier, Strategic Advisor
Pinnacle of Excellence

Patrick O'Connell
Chef & Proprietor
The Inn at Little Washington

Khuong Phan
Food & Beverage PR, Marketing and Concept Development
Atelier Ace / Ace Hotel

Ashley Waugh
Bar Director / General Manager
Barbara Lynch Collective

Linton Hopkins
Chef & Proprietor
Resurgens Hospitality Group

Sarah Rosenberg
Founder & CEO
Wicked Good Media

Marjorie Meek-Bradley
Executive Chef
St Anselm

Sean Kinoshita
Executive Chef
TIAA Bank Field - Delaware North

Jessica Nowicki
Chef de Cuisine
Safta

Jonathan Searle
Executive Chef
Lockbox

Rita Jammet
Owner
La Caravelle Champagne / Wines

Lars Kristiansen
VP Food & Beverage
Entertainment Cruises

Ryan Hardy
Executive Chef and Partner
Delicious Hospitality Group

Dawn Hedges
Executive Chef
Buffalo Niagara International Airport - Delaware North

Edouardo Jordan
Chef and Owner
Salare Restaurant and Junebaby

Grayson Schmitz
Recipe Development
Olivier Cheng Catering & Events

Nicholas Elmi
Chef and Owner
Nicholas Elmi Restaurants

Katie Bell
Hospitality Consultant
DIG

Evan Sung
Photographer
Evan Sung Photography

Leigh Omilinsky
Pastry Chef
Bellemore, Swift & Sons, Cold Storage Seafood

Katianna Hong
Former Executive Chef
The Charter Oak

Diane Yang
Executive Pastry Chef
Spoon and Stable & Bellecour

Amanda Cohen
Chef/Owner
Dirt Candy

Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson
Executive Chef/Owner
Frasca Food and Wine

François Hiegel
Executive Head Baker
Restaurants of Chef Thomas Keller

Aimee Olexy
Owner
Talula's Table, Talula's Garden, Talula's Daily, The Love

Taylor Crowley
Director of Sales & Marketing
Boka Restaurant Group

Melanie Tapp
F&B Senior Director
21c Museum Hotels

Shelley Lindgren
Co-Owner and Wine Director
A16 and SPQR

Adam Vavrick
Beer Director
Publican, One Off Hospitality Group

Gayle Miner
Service Manager
Blue Hill at Stone Barns

Kurt Chenier
Executive Chef
Target Field, Delaware North

Anton Bolling
Executive Chef
Fiola Mare

Camilla Marcus
Founder
west~bourne

Vincent Spinoso
Chief Operating Officer
Metropolitan Hospitality Group

Jen Hidinger-Kendrick
Co-Founder and Partner
Staplehouse

Alex McCrery
Co-Owner
Tilit NYC

Andrew Isabella
Executive Chef
Beetlecat

Ben Puchowitz
Chef and Co-Owner
Cheu Noodle Bar, Bing Bing Dim Sum, Cheu Fishtown

Tova du Plessis
Owner
Essen Bakery

Nicholas Forrester
General Manager
Vernick Food & Drink

Anncherie Saludo
Beverage Director
L'Artusi

Benjamin Weisberger
Chef de Cuisine and General Manager
The Butcher Shop

Erin Clarke
Executive Chef
Sfoglina Rosslyn

Mike Rafidi
Executive Chef
Requin - The Wharf

Corey Chow
Chef de Cuisine
Per Se

Stuart McDonald
Assistant General Manager
Double Zero

Melissa Perello
Executive Chef and Owner
M. Georgina, Octavia, and FRANCES

Lou Ann Dorney
General Operations Manager
Farmers Restaurant Group

Amalia Scatena
Executive Chef
Goat.Sheep.Cow

Kenneth Foland
Executive Sous Chef
Busch Stadium, Delaware North Sportservice

Matt Garland
Chef de Cuisine
Eastern Standard

Brooks Reitz
Founder and Partner
Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. and Leon's Oyster Bar & Little Jack's Tavern

Helen Johannesen
Partner and Beverage Director
Helen's Wines and Jon & Vinny's

Will Costello
Master Sommelier and Estates Ambassador
Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills Estates

Ben Potts
Bar Director and Partner
The Sylvester, Beaker & Gray

Gretchen Richer
Director of People Operations
Union Square Hospitality Group

Rachel DelRocco
Associate Editor and Spirits Writer
Wine and Spirits Magazine

Dominique Ansel
Chef and Owner
Dominique Ansel

Melissa Rodriguez
Executive Chef
Del Posto

George Mendes
Chef and Partner
Aldea and Lupulo

Melissa Davis
Beverage Director and Assistant General Manager
Staplehouse

Suzanne Cupps
Executive Chef
232 Bleecker

Belinda Chang
CEO
Self-employed

Dan Perretta
Executive Chef
The Aviary

Maneet Chauhan
President and Founding Partner
Morph Hospitality

Ken Oringer
Chef and Managing Partner
JK Food Group and Uni Boston

Craig Richards
Chef/Owner
Lyla Lila

Nancy Cushman
Co-Owner and Founder
Cushman Concepts

José Mendin
Chef and Owner
The Pubbelly Group

Jeni Britton Bauer
Founder and Chief Creative Officer
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

Stephanie Castellucci
General Manager and Owner
Castellucci Restaurant Group

Daniel Rose
Executive Chef and Partner
Chez la Vieille, Le Coucou, La Bourse et la Vie

Nelson Daquip
Wine and Spirits Director
Canlis Restaurant

Sarah Robbins
Chief Hospitality Officer & Partner
21c Museum Hotels

Zachary Engel
Owner and Head Chef
Galit

James Zoller
Chef de Cuisine
TRACE Austin

Mike Solomonov
Chef / Partner
Cook N Solo Restaurants

Cherif Mbodji
General Manager
CAFÉ BOULUD

Marie Petulla
Director Of Operations
Trejo's Tacos

Mike Wadja
Chef Partner
Honest Hospitality Group LLC

Angel Postell
Founder
BevCon

Kelly Fields
Chef and Owner
Willa Jean

Andrea Borgen
Owner and General Manager
Barcito

Alexander Burger
Executive Chef
Bar Boulud

Sam Kim
Former Executive Chef
1789 Restaurant

Ben Steigers
Executive Chef
PABU

Sarah Simmons
Chef and Owner
CITY GRIT Hospitality Group, CITY GRIT, Birds & Bubbles, Rise Gourmet Goods & Bakeshop

Kevin Maxey
Vice President of Tex-Mex
Rocket Farm Restaurants

Jonas Andersen
Business Development Manager
Great Northern Food Hall

Joanne Chang
Chef and Co-Owner
Flour Bakery & Café and Myers+Chang

Jean Luc Royere
Executive Chef
The Post Oak

Sara Fetbroth
General Manager
Oleana Restaurant

Josh Even
Executive Chef
Tofino Wines

Matthew Ridgway
Executive Chef
Cooks & Soldiers

Tessa Thompson
Career Services Advisor
Institute of Culinary Education

Philippe Bertineau
Former Executive Chef
Benoit New York

Josh Henderson
Chef and Founder
Huxley Wallace Collective

Carmen Quagliata
Vice President of Business Development
Select Restaurants

Morgan Schick
Creative Director
The Bon Vivants and Trick Dog

Drew Belline
Vice President and Culinary Director
Rocket Farm Restaurants

Eddy Leroux
Chef de Cuisine
Daniel

Dustin Wilson
Master Sommelier and Co-Founder
Verve Wine

Charlotte Voisey
Director of Brand Advocacy
William Grant & Sons USA

Eric Railsback
Partner and Wine Director
Mason Pacific

Nick Anderer
Executive Chef / Partner
Anton’s

Chris Cosentino
Chef and Owner
Cockscomb and Acacia House

Matt Alba
Chef de Cuisine
Ad Hoc

Scott Baird
Co-Founder
The Bon Vivants

Aggie Chin
Executive Pastry Chef
Mirabelle

Ezra Pattek
Attaché
The Bon Vivants

Robert Andreozzi
former Chef de Cuisine
Pizzeria Locale

Adam Nadel
Executive Chef
Casa Apicii

Brandon Malzahn
Executive Pastry Chef
JW Marriott Marco Island

Michael Paley
Executive Chef
Café No Sé and Central Standard

Dan Snowden
Executive Chef
Bad Hunter

Yehuda Sichel
Executive Chef
Abe Fisher

Josh Harris
Co-Founder
The Bon Vivants

Rhonda Crosson
Head Baker
MeyersUSA

Christie Dufault
Wine Instructor and Beverage Instructor
Culinary Institute of America at Greystone

Dan Kluger
Chef and Owner
Loring Place

Simon King
Former General Manager
The Modern

Alex Seidel
Executive Chef, Proprietor and Farmer
Mercantile dining & provision, Fruition Restaurant and Fruition Farms Dairy & Creamery

Travis Swikard
Chef and Owner
Callie Restaurant

Wendy Kallergis
President and CEO
Greater Miami Beaches and Hotel Association

Michael Anthony
Executive Chef / Partner
Gramercy Tavern & Untitled

Anthony Strong
Former Executive Chef
Delfina Group

Laurent Gras
Chef
Saison

Barbara Lynch
Chef and Owner
Barbara Lynch Collective

Angela Neri
Vice President and Owner
Pony Up

Shawn Cirkiel
Executive Chef and Owner
Parkside Projects

Jennifer Carroll
Chef and Owner
Spice Finch

Cynthia Billeaud
Founder and Chief Recruiting Officer
FnBTalents

Gunnar Karl Gíslason
Executive Chef and Owner
Systir, Dill, Agern Restaurant

Borys Saciuk
Director of Trade Advocacy
The Bon Vivants

Alessandra Altieri
Director of Operations
Ralph Lauren Corporation

James Briscione
Director of Culinary Development
The Institute of Culinary Education

Jean François Bruel
Executive Chef
Daniel

Aniedra Nichols
Executive Chef and Owner
Tammen's Fish Market

Tavel Bristol-Joseph
Pastry Chef / Partner
Henbit and Emmer & Rye

Benjamin Murray
Chef de Cuisine
Pao by Paul Qui

Charlie Parker
Executive Chef
Flea Street Cafe

Jamie Bissonnette
Chef / Partner
Toro, Coppa and Little Donkey

Vilma Mazaite
Regional Manager
Domaine Select Wine & Spirits

Roxanne Spruance
Executive Chef and Owner
Kingsley

Gary Obligacion
Director of Operations
The Alinea Group

Matthew McClure
Executive Chef
The Hive

Jeremy Sewall
Chef / Partner
Lineage Restaurant, Island Creek Oyster Bar, Row 34 Fort Point, Row 34 Portsmouth

Jonathan Deutsch
Professor of Culinary Arts and Food Science
Drexel University, Center for Hospitality and Sport Management

Anita Lo
Former Executive Chef / Owner
Annisa

Bryan Dayton
Proprietor/Beverage Director
Oak at Fourteenth, Acorn, Corrida

Monica Glass
Corporate Pastry Chef
Constellation Culinary Group

Daniel Toral
Sommelier
Ad Lib

Anthony Chittum
Executive Chef / Partner
Iron Gate Restaurant

Kevin Fink
Chef/Owner
Emmer & Rye

Kim Floresca
Co-Executive Chef
[ONE] Restaurant

Timothy Hollingsworth
Owner / Chef
Otium and Barrel & Ashes

John Ragan
Master Sommelier, Director of Wine and Restaurant Operations
Union Square Hospitality Group

Aaron Bludorn
Former Executive Chef
Café Boulud

Joseph Yardley
Chef de Cuisine
Agern Restaurant

James Kent
Partner and Executive Chef
The Restaurants at 70 Pine

Chung Chow
Chef de Cuisine / Co-Owner
Noreetuh

Vivian Howard
Chef/Owner
Boiler Room, Benny's Big Time Pizzeria, Chef & The Farmer

Fabio Trabocchi
Chef / Owner
Fabio Trabocchi Restaurants

Eric Rivera
Former Director of Operations
Huxley Wallace Collective

Jeff Benjamin
Chief Operating Officer & Executive VP
Vetri Cucina & Fitler Club

Anthony Rudolf
Partner
Union Square Play

Floyd Cardoz
Vice President Culinary
Estiatorio Milos

Michaël Engelmann
Beverage Director
WS New York at Hudson Yards

Gavin Kaysen
Executive Chef / Owner
Spoon and Stable & Bellecour

Jonathan Black
Executive Chef
Atelier Crenn

Erik Desjarlais
Owner and Maker
Fitswell Apron Company

Abram Bissell
Executive Chef
The Modern

Johnny Iuzzini
Founder
CHOCOLATE by Johnny Iuzzini

DLynn Proctor
Director
Fantesca Estate & Winery

Carlton McCoy
Master Sommelier, President and CEO
Heitz Cellar

Pierre Siue
Director Of Operations
The Dinex Group - Chef Daniel Boulud

Melissa Walnock
Lecturing Instructor / Pastry Chef
The Culinary Institute of America

Jeffrey Porter
Self-employed
Learning the Vines Consulting - Hospitality & Beverage Consulting

AJ Schaller
Executive Chef
Cuisine Solutions; CREA

Jason Franey
Corporate Chef
Mina Group

Joe Campanale
Owner and Beverage Director
Fausto

Erling Wu-Bower
Executive Chef and Co-Owner
The Laurel Room, Pacific Standard Time

Sylva Senat
Executive Chef
Maison208

Raj Vaidya
Head Sommelier
Daniel

Cesar Gutierrez
Executive Sous Chef
CAFÉ BOULUD

Chris Baggetta
Director of Prestige Accounts
Pacific Wine and Spirits

Jillian Rocco
Former Director of Operations
Row 34 and Island Creek Oyster Bar

Kevin Doherty
Executive Chef
Delaware North Companies Sportservice at TD Garden

Graceanne Jordan
Hospitality, Partnerships, and Investments
Milstein Companies

Donald Madia
Owner and Partner
One Off Hospitality Group

Norman Van Aken
Executive Chef and Owner
Norman's

Rayme Rossello
Owner
Comida

Vivian Howard

Vivian Howard, Chef and Owner of Boiler Room, Benny's Big Time Pizzeria, and Chef & The Farmer in Kinston, NC, shares her career timeline and advice for up-and-coming professionals.

Send Us Your Nominations

Inspirational Career Timelines

CULINARY AGENTS

BUSINESS

JOIN THE INDUSTRY NETWORK

Vivian Howard

Vivian Howard, Chef and Owner of Boiler Room, Benny's Big Time Pizzeria, and Chef & The Farmer in Kinston, NC, shares her career timeline and advice for up-and-coming professionals.

Send Us Your Nominations

Inspirational Career Timelines

CULINARY AGENTS

BUSINESS

JOIN THE INDUSTRY NETWORK

Log in