Ep 2. Pretty In Peach

In A Chef's Life season 3 episode 2, titled "Pretty In Peach," Chef Vivian Howard continues her journey of exploring Southern cuisine while running her restaurant, The Chef and the Farmer, in rural North Carolina.

The episode revolves around the arrival of peach season, and the challenges that come with it. Vivian and her team at the restaurant are busy prepping for the onslaught of summer tourists, who arrive in search of the delicious fruit. Meanwhile, local peach farmer Ron Joyner stops by the restaurant to drop off his latest harvest. Vivian marvels at the beauty of the peaches, which are perfectly ripe and juicy, as she decides what to do with them.

One of the highlights of the episode is when Vivian decides to make a peach cobbler for her family. She explains how important it is to use fresh, local ingredients, something that is a hallmark of Southern cuisine. As she prepares the dessert, she shares family memories and traditions, such as how her father used to ride around on the family's tractor, picking peaches from the back of the truck.

Vivian also has a catering gig at a local farm, where she prepares a multi-course meal focused on peaches. The episode shows her working in the kitchen with her team, brainstorming ideas for the menu and prepping dishes such as peach gazpacho and peach-glazed pork. She and her team hit a few snags along the way, but they manage to pull off a successful event that highlights the best of Southern cuisine.

Throughout the episode, Vivian also discusses the challenges facing farmers in rural North Carolina, such as drought and competition from large corporate farms. She talks about the importance of supporting local agriculture, and the ways in which her restaurant strives to do so. As always, Vivian is a passionate advocate for Southern cuisine and the people who make it possible.

In "Pretty In Peach," viewers get a glimpse of the hard work and creativity that goes into running a farm-to-table restaurant, as well as the joys of working with fresh, seasonal ingredients. It's a celebration of summer and everything that makes Southern cuisine unique and delicious.