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Valentine Howell Jr.
Born and raised in Boston, Valentine Howell Jr. was drawn to the magic of hospitality and food as far back as he can remember. Officially starting his culinary education at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School and graduating from Newbury College with a B.S. in Hotel, Restaurant and Hospitality Management, he continues to be inspired by food, art, and his love for culture, travel, and the people around him. With over two decades of experience working behind the line in some of Boston’s most notable kitchens, Valentine’s path has led to experiences working alongside culinary royalty such as Lydia Shire, shaping how he approaches cooking and expanding his culinary acumen.
A James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef in the Northeast in 2023, every kitchen has imparted diverse knowledge to Valentine’s repertoire. Highlighting local produce and other various cultural and local ingredients, he is currently focusing on hosting pop-ups to promote his international food concept, Black Cat Eatery, which consists of tacos and shared plates of Afro Caribbean and Latin dishes with his creative take. He has also appeared on shows such as A Moveable Feast on PBS and most recently a contestant on season 21 of Top Chef.
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31-Mar-2025Culinary StageCulinary Demo with Chef Valentine Howell, Jr. of Black Cat Eatery