In the aftermath of Jeffery Chodorow's stunning ultimatum that chef/owner Rocco DiSpirito must call him if he wants to remain involved in the restaurant, DiSpirito retreats to his alma mater, the Culinary Institute of America, while Chodorow makes it clear to the staff that he is the owner of Rocco's – and his team of consultants isn't leaving anytime soon. Meanwhile, DiSpirito holds a contest at the C.I.A. to choose a new line cook for the restaurant and delivers an inspirational graduation speech before heading back to the restaurant where Chodorow begins a search for a ""Rocco Replacement,"" just in case his real charismatic partner won't cooperate. In addition, DiSpirito decides to take back his restaurant and begins legal action, takes painful measures to fire one employee and enjoys seeing how happy Mama is in the environment that he created for her – even though there is more at stake than ever before.