The Monday, October 13 episode of Here It All Begins promises to be particularly eventful at the Institute. Between score-settling, romantic doubts, and unexpected surprises, the students and teachers will once again be shaken by emotions and tensions.

The morning begins in a tense atmosphere after the fiasco of the last culinary exercise. Tom , still reeling from Julia ‘s scathing remark , can’t contain his anger. He feels she has humiliated him in front of the entire brigade and decides to settle the score. As soon as the service begins, he provokes her by accusing her of being “incapable of leading a team without crushing the others.” Julia tries to remain calm, but Tom’s words hurt her more than she wants to admit. The exchange quickly turns into open conflict, before the stunned eyes of their comrades.

Clotilde , alerted by the shouting, intervenes to calm the situation. She sharply reprimands Tom, reminding him that arguments have no place in the kitchen. Julia tries to downplay the incident, but everyone understands that the tension is far from over. Behind her confidence, she feels a real questioning: what if Tom was, despite everything, right on certain points?

For her part, Maya is going through a period of confusion. For several days now, her bond with Gaspard has been obvious. Between long glances, fits of laughter, and long discussions after class, a real alchemy seems to be developing. However, neither of them dares to make the first move. It’s Ethan who is the first to laugh, teasing Maya in front of the group: “At this rate, you’ll end up opening a food truck together before you even kiss!” A touch of humor that makes Maya uncomfortable, but which pushes Gaspard to ask himself questions.

Later, in the park of the Institute, Gaspard finally confesses to Maya that he’s been feeling “something special” for some time. Maya remains silent, troubled, but her smile speaks volumes. Their complicity then takes a more intimate turn, under the amused gaze of Ethan and Enzo, involuntary witnesses of this long-awaited rapprochement.

Meanwhile, Antoine tries to manage the new budgetary constraints imposed by the management. Spending cuts must be made, which causes tensions among the teachers. Clotilde fiercely defends the culinary experimentation workshops, believing them to be essential to the students’ education. Teyssier, true to form, quips: “We could also teach them to cook with three euros and a microwave, while we’re at it.” The atmosphere is tense, but Antoine remains calm: he knows that every decision risks creating discontent.

For Kelly , it’s time to question herself. She feels overwhelmed by the pressure and doubts her choices. The young chef is questioning her place at the Institute, especially since Laetitia encouraged her to apply for a prestigious competition. “What if I’m not ready?” she confides to Salomé, who tries to reassure her. But a surprise awaits her: Lionel congratulates her on her progress and invites her to train together. This unexpected support gives her a little confidence.

Let’s return to Tom , still ruminating over his argument with Julia. His pride hurt, he confides in Enzo and Ambre, convinced that Julia is trying to oust him from the group. “She wants to make me look like an immature kid in front of the bosses,” he fumes. But Ambre, more lucid, advises him to calm things down before the situation escalates. Tom, however, won’t listen. Later, he decides to confront Julia again, this time outside the kitchen.

The scene takes place at the end of the day, in the courtyard of the Institute. Julia, exhausted, doesn’t expect Tom to arrive with such resentment. The tone rises again. “You think because you have a nice knife, you’re the best?” Tom asks bitterly. Julia takes the attack hard, but refuses to be intimidated. “It’s not a question of talent, Tom. It’s a question of respect. And you’ve lost it.” These words hit like a slap. Tom is speechless. For the first time, he seems to realize he’s gone too far.

Meanwhile, Bérénice discovers a disturbing secret in Teyssier’s office. While sorting through documents, she comes across a confidential letter discussing a partnership between the Institute and a renowned international chef. If the collaboration comes to fruition, some of the students could be sent abroad for a special internship. The idea fascinates her, but she hesitates to talk about it: Teyssier surely wouldn’t appreciate her rummaging through his things.

The day ends on a mixed note. Julia, despite her fatigue, receives unexpected support from Clotilde, who confides in her: “You have character, and that’s a quality here. But be careful not to let conflicts wear you down.” A piece of advice the young woman takes to heart. As for Tom, he finally seems ready to admit his wrongdoing. He sends Julia a message: “Sorry about earlier. I reacted in a haphazard way.” Julia hesitates to reply, but finally writes: “We’ll talk about it tomorrow, calmly.” An opening, perhaps the beginning of a calming process.

In a completely different vein, Maya and Gaspard share a moment of complicity in the deserted kitchen. Gaspard shows her a new recipe, and their exchange takes on a sweet, light touch. Their eyes meet, a silence falls… then Gaspard finally takes the plunge and kisses her. Maya, surprised, ends up smiling. The couple is finally born.

But behind this budding romance, other shadows still hover over the Institute. Teyssier, observing his students from afar, seems to be planning something. “They think everything is calm… but the real test is tomorrow,” he whispers.

An emotional episode where Tom and Julia settle their scores, Maya and Gaspard finally get closer, and tensions between the teachers herald new twists and turns. At the Auguste Armand Institute, passions continue to boil… and calm, however, is only an illusion.