Plot Synopsis

THE FRESHMAN CLASS is a reality series that follows four aspiring chefs at a culinary institute in the United States, as they make the journey from the first day of school to final exams at the end of the first semester. Culinary school is a stressful and expensive endeavor, and a large percentage of students drop out within the first months of their program. They all have dreams of becoming big-time chefs, but first they must overcome imposing personal and academic challenges. Season 1 featured these four students at the Louisiana Culinary Institute in Baton Rouge: Tiffany, a 41-year-old full-time mom who is trying to forge a career for the first time despite her husband's resistance; Jared, a Marine Corps veteran, who is battling his war injuries and PTSD; Ben, a father of three, who is wondering how he'll provide for his family while he's a full-time student; and Jasmine, a single mom, who is eager to stop working as an exotic dancer and fulfill her dream of opening a restaurant.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Tuesday, March 11, 2014, Cooking Channel aired an encore presentation of the entire first season from 3-7pm ET/Noon-4pm PT, followed shortly by the Season 2 premiere at 8pm ET/5pm PT. Season 2, with a new title (THE FRESHMAN CLASS: SANTA CRUZ), follows these four aspiring chefs at the Cabrillo College Culinary School in Santa Cruz: Gabriel, a former gang member looking to turn his life around after a recent stint in prison; Amalia, a stay-at-home mom of four, eager to take on new responsibilities; Kim, who regrets dropping out of culinary school decades ago and is ready to prove herself; and Jim, a Navy veteran, who is suffering with a terrible injury that left him jobless and homeless eight years ago.