Season 1

The launch of the project, and the selection process begins with video auditions and reality dawns: these kids do not look like future top chefs. With the help of top restaurateurs Ruth Watson and Gennaro Contaldo, Jamie must makes some tough decisions.

Having found a suitable venue, the participants now have nine months in which to transform it into a top London eatery.

Jamie faces a serious problem: Some of his trainees skip classes, and others are not up to scratch.

Jamie sends the trainees on placements for a month, working with professional chefs in a dozen top restaurants.

The restaurant is about to open, and the trainees are put through their paces in the newly completed kitchen.

The students are invited to cook for the Prime Minister.

With Jamie off on paternity leave the trainee chefs start taking days off behind his back; Jamie returns to the restaurant to find two trainee chefs have quit.