Kinston Chef Vivian Howard’s first cookbook is the Cookbook of the Year, the top cookbook award from the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

“Deep Run Roots: Stories and Recipes from My Corner of the South,” a personal cookbook in which Howard shares stories behind the food that’s made her eastern North Carolina restaurant a destination, won the association’s top award Sunday night in Louisville, Ky.

That’s not the only prize the book took home. It won three of the four awards it was a finalist for: General, Chefs & Restaurants, and Julia Child First Book.