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A Chef's Life
Ramp-ing up to Spring
Season 2
Episode 12
Vivian hunts for ramps—an Appalachian wild leek—with renowned bacon purveyor Alan Benton near his home in the Tennessee countryside. The restaurant world goes wild over ramps, after a winter of few fresh vegetables. Vivian’s “ramp dealer” brings her his freshest stash, foraged from the North Carolina mountains. Theo and Flo show off a piglet and a baby goat at the ag show.
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24:40
As Vivian waits for Spring’s vegetables to appear, the new best-seller is a whole chicken.
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24:40
Vivian finds “run-up” turnip greens, which are central to her approach to southern food.
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24:40
Fun Summer vegetables are long gone, so Vivian looks to liven up the unglamorous turnip.
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24:40
November has arrived and the restaurant is busy. Vivian feels the stress at work and home.
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24:40
Vivian presents a few of the many ways fish makes its appearance in Southern cooking.
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24:40
Vivian returns from her road trip and confronts her long absence from the restaurant.
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24:40
Vivian almost reaches her breaking point, but everyone pulls together for the big event.
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24:40
Vivian undertakes mammoth preparations for her huge Souther Foodways Alliance luncheon.
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24:40
Vivian and Ben face challenges on the cusp of opening a new restaurant, the Boiler Room.
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24:40
A family beach trip turns competitive for Vivian and her sisters.
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24:40
A year after overcoming a devastating fire, Vivian and Ben go all-in on a 2nd restaurant.
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24:40
Vivian visits Broad Slab Distillery, and talks about the art and soul of white lightning.