Vivian helps friend and cookbook author, Sheri Castle at a signing in Kinston, NC. To much to Ben's delight, the Boiler Room welcomes a new manager. While Ben paints his way to sanity, Vivian visits with Ms. Daisy and prepares for a homecoming at her church where the warmth of fellowship produces an impressive spread of home-cooked casseroles.

After a visit from "The Honey Man," Vivian turns up the heat on a dish that features chicken livers drizzled with hot honey. While Ben preps for his art show in Durham, Vivian descends upon "the Bull City's" restaurant row to sample sweet, honey-themed dishes.

Lillie shows Vivian three different ways to bring out the bitter and the sweet in rutabagas. Vivian showers her team with thoughtful holiday gifts as they prepare a New Year's menu that blends Italian and Eastern North Carolinian influences. A hectic New Year's Eve at the restaurant ends in a toast and a smile, despite brewing tension.