Cooking School Stories
In Cooking School Stories, Food Network takes you beyond the classroom and inside the personal lives of nine culinary students at The Art Institute of California - Los Angeles. From orientation to graduation, we'll travel alongside the students as they tackle an intense class load, balance their complicated personal lives and cope with day-to-day stress. Find out if they have what it takes to fulfill their dreams and become America's future chefs.
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About The Show
In Cooking School Stories, Food Network takes you beyond the classroom and inside the personal lives of nine culinary students at The Art Institute of California - Los Angeles. From orientation to graduation, we'll travel alongside the students as they tackle an intense class load, balance their complicated personal lives and cope with day-to-day stress. Find out if they have what it takes to fulfill their dreams and become America's future chefs.
Episodes
S1 | E1
Basic Skills
First day of school orientation. Jessica, Joey and Shannon are all taking a Basic Skills class. They learn knife techniques and how to make basic sauces. The students discuss their passion for cooking and their hopes and dreams for culinary school.
S1 | E2
Baking and Pastry
Shannon and Eliza are in Baking & Pastry class. We learn Shannon's personal story. Eliza divulges her fear of what others think of her. Joe's personal story takes us through learning his girlfriend is pregnant and buying an engagement ring.
S1 | E3
American Regional - Midwest
We learn this is Fran's 2nd career, as well as learn of the hardships of being the divorced mother of 2. Jessica reveals how this is her first time back at school since she had kids. Meanwhile, Joey is trying out for the Junior Culinary Team.
S1 | E4
Garde Manger
Mike and Edison are taking their final exam for Garde Manger. Edison discloses that his ego gets in the way of his working relationships. Mike reveals that school is harder than he had expected. Anh spends the day making dinner for her family.
S1 | E5
Chicken Soup
These four students are competing to see who can make the best chicken soup. We follow them as they make their soups, try out for the preliminaries, and then go on to the chicken soup finals!
S1 | E6
American Regional - Southwest
Fran is having difficulties making ends meet, and takes her children to WIC for aide. Joey is kicked off the junior culinary team and fired from his job, and Eliza is looking for a job in the culinary field to see if this is indeed her passion.
S1 | E7
Sushi
Shannon and Joe learn how to make an assortment of Sushi rolls. Shannon finds it hard to concentrate because she must go to court and fight for custody of her son. Joe's baby is on the way, and he has realized that he really needs to get a job.
S1 | E8
French Competition
The students are competing against one another to see who can make the best French meal. The winner gets a free ticket to Paris and an apprenticeship under a famous French chef. Meanwhile, Jessica has been promoted at work but there is a family emergency.
S1 | E9
Vietnam
Our students take a culinary tour of Vietnam. Anh learns about her history, while Eliza experiences the oddity of being an affluent woman in this environment. Edison is the only African American around, and can't help feeling like an outsider.
S1 | E10
Classical Cuisine
Anh and Fran learn the art of Italian cuisine. Anh deals with her own issues of love. Fran has realized that she cannot support her children. Mike is kicked out of school for the quarter and must work waiting tables until he can get back in.
S1 | E11
Asian Cuisine
Joe and Joey learn and prepare Thai food, even though their personal lives are filled to the brim. Joe moves in with girlfriend. Joey's junior culinary team story continues. Meanwhile, Jessica discovers that she is pregnant for the third time.
S1 | E13
Graduation
Anh and Edison will graduate in this episode, and we will catch up with all of our students to see their progression.