Way to go, Valentine!
Valentine Howell Jr., former executive chef of Krasi, the owner of taco pop-up Black Cat, and a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Northeast in 2023, is competing on Top Chef: Wisconsin!
He is competing against 14 other candidates for a $250,000 grand prize this year. Wowza! The newest season premiered last night on Bravo! But you can stream it on Peacock to get caught up!
The Boston Globe just did a profile on Valentine, which included the fact that he attended Madison Park High School and participated in its culinary program. His first restaurant job was at Papa Gino’s in Dorchester. He also worked in a kitchen at Fenway Park when the Red Sox won the World Series in 2007. Ultimately, he landed as Krais’s executive chef, which catapulted him as a finalist for the James Beard Award.
Valentine will host a Black Cat pop-up at Lamplighter Brewing on March 24th. You can watch Top Chef on Bravo on Wednesdays at 9 pm!
You can read the interview with Valentine here!
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.