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The Stagiaire (
It takes place shortly after the Tōtsuki Autumn Election.
Overview[]
Soma and Hisako arrive at a small western restaurant
Over the course of four weeks, students are assigned to various cooking locations across Japan with students assigned to a different location each week. While most of them are assigned to their locations individually, occasionally two students may be assigned to the same location. The locations vary from established restaurants, pop-up restaurants, food processing plants, or general cafeterias. While on location, students are under the supervision of the location's manager.
During the course of each week at their location, students must assist generally as interim staff. However, most of these locations are facing certain difficulties, usually financial, or have requested Tōtsuki Culinary Academy to assist them with projects like gaining culinary stars or participating in a major event for a notable chef. As a requirement, each student must make a "visible accomplishment" while on site. The flexibility of this definition allows both students and managers the ability to define a passing condition. Most of the time, this is done by students creating a new dish/menu or overhauling the location's work environment.
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Erina taking over the restaurant and making it better
Aside from the location manager and staff, students are discretely monitored by Tōtsuki staff throughout the week. They both confirm directly to the students when they pass their weekly assignments. If a Tōtsuki staff or the location staff feel that a student will not be able to finish their task, they may immediately "fire" the student, resulting in their expulsion from Tōtsuki. Unbeknownst to the students, even their social media posts may be taken into account if it would jeopardize the location's reputation.
Still, some location managers have been known to actually speak out in defense of the student due to their already abysmal state of business and if that is the case and the student tries every which way, then they are viewed as having passed the Stagiaire.
The Stagiare serves two particular purposes. First, it is the final major class whittling event for First Year students. Senzaemon Nakiri states that it eliminates the remaining "ordinary" students, leaving behind only the best that year has to offer. Students who emerge from the event successfully are socially accepted by their upperclassmen as capable chefs worth challenging to Shokugeki. Second, the true purpose for students, especially those working for notable chefs, is to give them opportunities to steal valuable techniques and ideas from these masters to further elevate their own cooking.
Trivia[]
- Stagiaire means "Trainee" in French.