Here It All Begins: Explosive Spoilers for Episode 1236 on August 7, 2025!

Warning, the following paragraphs contain spoilers for the episode of “Here Everything Begins” airing tomorrow night on TF1! If you prefer to remain spoiler-free, please skip ahead.

Thursday, August 7th on “Here Everything Begins”…

Will the Institute’s Team Win the Contest?

In the management office, Teyssier and Clotilde inform the team, consisting of Solal, Carla, and Gaspard, that they will compete in the finals of the Best Culinary School in France contest that afternoon at the Institute.

Upon leaving the office, Carla and Gaspard run into Leonard. He explains that he does not plan to attend the finals, preferring to stay away from the Castelmonts. Gaspard then suggests that Leonard take his place in the team to get a chance to get back at his father and to prove his worth. Leonard agrees and immediately informs Teyssier and Clotilde of his decision, leaving them no choice.

Later, everyone gathers in the amphitheater where Chef Delobel outlines the challenge: each team must put a new spin on a traditional lobster recipe by Auguste Armand. During the plating, Leonard decides to add an octopus tentacle and gold leaves. Clotilde approves his idea and authorizes him to fetch the ingredients from the storeroom.

At the storeroom, Leonard encounters his biological father who praises his cooking. Étienne also apologizes for abruptly leaving during their last conversation, explaining that he was shocked by the news of Laurence’s death. He then expresses his regrets about their situation, offering financial support, which Leonard declines.

Back at the amphitheater, Leonard completes his team’s dish presentation. Once the challenge concludes, the dish is delivered to the judges’ table. Unfortunately, the temperature of the octopus tentacle is too high, causing the panna cotta sphere beneath it to collapse and spill onto the plate.

Due to this mishap, the Institute’s team loses the title of Best Culinary School in France to the Castelmont school. Overwhelmed, Teyssier retreats to his office. Constance joins him there to help put things into perspective and offer comfort. However, he responds that he no longer feels up to his role as director…

Lionel Makes Amends with Thelma

At the cafe, Lionel tells Gary that Thelma didn’t take well to his joke from the previous day. Jude joins the conversation. To resolve the issue, Gary grabs Lionel’s phone and texts Thelma on his behalf, offering a massage as an apology. Thelma immediately responds, accepting the offer.

Later, Lionel meets up with Gary and Mattéo (who is also aware of the situation) at the Coffee Shop. He thanks Gary because his approach worked. But now Thelma wants to know what new activity Lionel has planned for her. Gary has an idea and once again takes control of Lionel’s phone.

This leads them to a body-painting session at the beach. Afterwards, Thelma wants to go to a nudist beach, thinking Lionel also suggested that. However, Lionel finds an excuse to avoid it: going to watch the finals of the Best Culinary School in France contest.

Jim Fails the Test

At the studio, Olivia and Claire meet with Jim and Jasmine to administer a test for positions at their soon-to-be-owned restaurant. They mention that the competitors are the second and best assistant chefs of Chef Honoré Laurent, whose establishment they are taking over. Upon hearing this name, Jim clams up.

During the test, Jasmine feels confident and competent, while Jim is overwhelmed by stress. After the test, the two candidates present their dishes. Claire and Olivia taste them in private to decide their verdict, which they will share the next day. They both agree: Jim is not on the same level as his girlfriend.