In this opening episode, Alexis is joined by Essex takeaway lovers Rob and Della. They join in taste tests and DIY cooking experiments to help him demonstrate the tricks and hints he learns on his travels. His first mission is to get inside the world of fried chicken.

Alexis Conran takes a behind-the-scenes look at the production of Chinese food, fish and chips, and doughnuts. He begins with a visit to an award-winning London chip shop that secures the best fish for its fryer by running its own fishmonger. Alexis also visits one of the few British-based factories that make traditional-style Chinese rice noodles.