In France, while butting heads with Simca over volume two of their seminal cookbook, Julia takes inspiration from an exceptional meal. Back in Boston, Avis escorts Russ to an eye-opening dinner party.

After failing to see eye to eye on a handful of recipes, Julia and Simca propose a culinary showdown for a group of guests. At Hunter's birthday party, newcomer Elaine faces scrutiny from her coworkers.

Left to her own devices in Paris, Avis bonds with a prominent existentialist, while Julia turns to her friends at Le Cordon Bleu for help with an impossible recipe. As WGBH experiences a shake-up, Alice goes through a trial of her own.

After returning to Boston, Julia finds herself at odds with her new director and Avis's new beau. Later, a run-in with an old colleague finds Julia fielding questions from the FBI.

While preparing for an interview with Life magazine, Julia is thrown by a surprise visit from Paul's domineering twin brother, Charles.

While WGBH prepares for their annual fundraiser, Julia receives an offer from a network with the funds to take The French Chef to the next level.

After receiving an invitation from the White House, the WGBH crew travels down to the nation's capital for a chance to film inside the President's own kitchen. Back in Boston, Paul finds himself at the beck and call of various friends in need.

When the FBO descends on WGBH, Julia uses her experience in wartime espionage to keep the crew safe from accusations of 'un-American conduct'.