Marika and Arianna discuss the Erasmus Program, a student exchange program that was founded in the late 1980s. It allows European university students to study at other EU country universities. The program is named after the Dutch humanist, Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466-1536).

Arianna tells us about her months of study in Potsdam and how beneficial the Erasmus experience was for her.

Serena is a university student from Maratea. She's just come back from an internship in Russia. She tells us about Russia, and also about her plans for New Year's Eve.

Alice introduces us to her group of friends. They've called themselves "JAMS" and we find out why in this episode. She begins telling us the story of how they got to know one another. Alice talks about la prima media. This is equivalent to the first year of middle school or the 6th grade of elementary school. The kids are about 11 or 12 years old.

It's the first day of school for our friends. In fact, it's their first year of middle school. The desks are set up for pairs of pupils, so choices have to be made as to where to sit and whom to share a desk with.

The class is welcomed by the principal as well as the art teacher. The surprise is that there will be a cooking course twice a week, as well as a group cooking contest. Who's on board? As we know, Joy is enthusiastic about it, but what about the others?

Alice, Joy, and Max want to win the contest, so they go around the neighborhood to find some traditional recipes. One stop they make is at the home of Joy's father's friend. The three classmates meet up with Stefano more than once, making them curious.

At the park, the kids try to come up with a recipe and they invite Stefano to take part in the project. One thing leads to another.

Joy has an interesting idea about where they can practice cooking. But it's a bigger challenge than she expected.

It's time for the challenge. Customers can choose either Davide's cake or the one JAMS made. Whichever cake is gone first wins.

In class, the teacher notices the excitement in the air and takes pity on his students. Later on at the bistro, the JAMS make the dish Stefano had suggested. Davide leaves them to clean up.

Joy meets up with Michelino, Max's little brother, the mascot of the group. Soon after, Ettore, the attorney, happens by.

Max and Alice have a conversation and it is clear that she is trying to tell him something without coming out and saying it. Joy goes home and her mother asks her where she has been.

The cooking contest begins. Joy isn't quite her usually buoyant self, however. The kids on team "the Best" have already planned on cheating.

The principal and the teacher taste the four dishes and decide on the grades.