The new class of incoming students arrives at Louisiana Culinary Institute, where they're drilled in the school's strict policies. They immediately prepare for a make-or-break test on sanitary practices. Meanwhile, Tiffany's husband shocks her with his extreme reaction to her starting school, Jared wonders whether he should reveal his disabilities, Ben frets about disappointing his family, and Jasmine reveals a surprising secret.
The freshmen at Louisiana Culinary Institute try to learn the history of cooking. Meanwhile, Tiffany has to make a painful change to her family in order to keep on track at school. Ben has to swallow his pride and lean on his in-laws for financial help. Jasmine tries to tell her mom the truth about her job.
The freshmen at LCI start to use knives and then are thrown into the kitchen for their first big cooking test. Jared's PTSD begins to undermine him in class. Ben's stress goes through the roof when he has to take on more responsibility at home. Tiffany's daughter, April, considers dropping out of the program, while Tiffany starts a conflict with one of the school's toughest instructors.
The LCI freshmen slice and dice their way through a pressure-filled knife skills exam and then test their abilities at making sauce. Tiffany's conflict with Chef Wes turns into an all-out war that threatens her future at the school. Jared takes on a culinary challenge that forces him to confront his disabilities. Ben considers a major change when he struggles to pay for school.
The LCI freshmen simmer as they try to prove their skills in sauce class. Ben has difficulty paying his tuition, leading to conflict with the school and forcing him to make a bold decision. Tiffany tries to come back from her rough start by taking on a cooking challenge. A troubling incident at school convinces Jasmine to try to deal with her mental health.
The LCI freshmen take on the school's most demanding professor when they begin vegetables class. Tiffany begins building a business for after graduation, but when her husband gets in the way she's forced to make a big decision about her marriage. Jasmine tries to win over her mom's support by showing off her cooking skills, but her mom proves to be a tough critic.
The freshmen at Louisiana Culinary Institute move from vegetables to meat as they near the end of their first semester. Jasmine's stress boils over and she lets her temper fly at school, leading administrators to question her ability to succeed in the restaurant business. Jared tries to prove his disabilities won't hamper his career by throwing himself into the fire at one of Louisiana's busiest restaurants.
Before they can move on, the LCI freshmen must pass their toughest test yet -- an examination of every skill they've learned since arriving at school. Jasmine finally makes a decision about her secret job. Tiffany's commitment to school is tested when her daughter makes a surprising announcement. Jared tries to get a handle on his memory problems once and for all, while Ben tries to adjust the balance between his school and home lives.