Jason Atherton takes 10 chefs from pubs, cafes and caterers across the UK on a culinary journey across Europe, and gives them a crash course in preparing food fit for the finest restaurants. The first destination is Puglia in southern Italy, where food is prepared on the principle of making the most of what is to hand. The chefs are tested on their pasta-making skills, and pitted in a culinary contest against a well-regarded local restaurant. However, Jason faces a tough choice of whether to send a struggling member of the group home and fly in a replacement.