Vivian Howard Event
Belk Distinguished Lecturer
July 14, 2023
Written by Kelly Burkett
Vivian Howard, esteemed cookbook author and television host, spoke at Appalachian State on July 14th as the 2023 Belk Distinguished Lecturer.
In addition to the free lecture, Ms. Howard’s recipes were featured during a fundraising luncheon hosted by the University Libraries and prepared by Grandview Catering and Events. Lunch consisted of an appetizer of butterbean hummus with veggie relish on pita points, a meal of gingered corn soup, tomato pie, and a grilled caesar salad, and finishing with a blueberry, buttermilk, and lemon parfait. Before a sold out crowd, Ms. Howard shared her experience of writing her cookbooks and how appreciative she was for the invitation and the opportunity to share her food with us.
The cost of the event covered the meal, an autographed Vivian Howard cookbook, and a donation to the Library Student Employee Scholarship Fund.
Libraries Advisory Board Member, Barbara Freiman, donated “App”rons to the event that could be purchased for a donation to the Library Student Scholarship Fund. With the sales of the aprons and the tickets for the luncheon, University Libraries was able to raise $12,000 for student scholarships.
Derik Kinkopf, a library student employee and scholarship winner, also spoke. He talked about his position in the library and the impact of his scholarship. Kinkopf said, “As a financially independent student, putting myself through school, this will help decrease student loans and give me more financial stability and flexibility to focus on my class load.
The free lecture, held in the Appalachian Theater of the High Country in downtown Boone, was at capacity. Eager attendees were queued outside the theater, ready for a glimpse of their favorite chef. Vivian Howard spoke to hundreds of fans about her career, love of storytelling, the PBS show, and her restaurants. She also took some questions from the audience.
This well received occasion has made the University Libraries even more excited for the Belk Distinguished Lecture next year!
A special thank you to our generous sponsors the Appalachian Theater of the High Country and the Lovill House Inn.
