From the age of twelve, Lillian has been a true cook: one who can read people as well as spices, anticipate reactions, and create a meal to shape an evening. At her restaurant, she holds a cooking class with eight men and women from all different stages of life. It soon becomes clear to Lillian that each student comes seeking a recipe for something beyond the kitchen, as over the course of the seasons they explore love, sex, grief, joy, and self-discovery.