Me or the Menu — Season 1

Four restaurateurs chase their dreams of opening their first restaurant alongside their significant other. Although they're at different stages of the process, they all feel the pressure. Kathleen, a home cook turned food truck owner, and her fiancé, Nate, have just a few hours to prepare for a big event, but Kathleen has doubts about whether Nate can step up and be the partner she needs. James, a rising star on the Chicago culinary scene, and his supportive wife, Jessica, argue about finances both at home and at the restaurant. Working long hours puts pressure on Randi, an industry veteran and first-time restaurant owner, and his fiancée, Jeanette, as their lives are put on hold until their restaurant hits the black. Nicole, a self-taught cook with big dreams, and her boyfriend, Alan, clash over power dynamics as they visit a vegan spot to get ideas for their vegetarian restaurant concept.

Nicole and Alan are scouting locations for the future home of Greenios, and their realtor sets up an investment meeting for them. Jeanette is finally ready to step back from Leland to pursue her dreams. Randi begins construction on a new part of the restaurant business and begins to question whether he can run the restaurant without Jeanette. Kathleen and Nate barely survive a food truck event, but Nate's attitude is driving a huge wedge in their relationship. The real test is finally telling Colin, Kathleen's son, that they plan to open a restaurant with all their savings.

Jeanette tells Randi she needs some time away from Leland to focus on her career as a travel writer, leaving Randi to manage a hectic brunch shift on his own. Nate's friends warn him that he's getting in over his head starting a restaurant with Kathleen. Nicole and Alan's prospective investor suggests they hire a professional chef for their Greenios pop-up event. James and Jessica argue over Jessica's inability to relinquish control and spend extra money on help when it comes to her responsibilities at the restaurant, despite feeling overworked.

James has hired a PR manager, much to Jessica's dismay. Jeanette returns from vacation to find Whispers behind schedule, and Randi needs her to return to brunch so he can complete the renovation. Kathleen and Nate sit down to discuss the next steps for the restaurant, and Kathleen reveals that Nate is not an owner of the restaurant because she doesn't trust him. Nicole and Alan hire an Army buddy of Nicole's, Edwin, to be the chef for their pop-up event, but on the day of the event, Nicole and Chef Edwin have a major disagreement.

Nicole has abandoned Alan right before the pop-up. Will he be able to step up, or will Nicole's dream for Greenios be over forever? Kathleen and Nate sit down with Kathleen's children, Colin and Alaina, to tell them about their engagement. Kathleen feels the heat when her new oven breaks before her guests arrive. Jeanette and Randi take a mini vacation away from Leland, but tensions rise when Randi makes a business stop at a local farm on their drive. At Bocadillo Market, James and Jessica meet a PR manager for a photo shoot to boost their social media presence.

It's the night of the soft open for Lola's Ristorante, and Kathleen is behind schedule with preparations. Colin throws a temper tantrum, and Nate tries to calm everyone's nerves. At Leland, Jeanette and Randi are throwing a party for the newly completed Whispers. Alan takes command of the Greenios pop-up in a last-ditch effort to impress the investor, but the damage to their reputation is already done. At Bocadillo Market, James and Jessica host an influencer dinner to boost their social media presence and gain more followers.