A boy named Soma Yukihira wants to become a full-time chef in his father Joichiro's family restaurant and cook even better than his father, but Joichiro gets a new job that requires him to travel around the world and closes his shop. Joichiro has Soma go to Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, an elite culinary school where students engage in food competitions called shokugeki. He gets himself a spot at the school even though Erina Nakiri, the talented granddaughter of the school's dean, does not approve of him. Soma is assigned to Polaris Dormitory where he meets other students who want to be chefs, including Megumi Tadokoro. The story follows his adventures as he interacts with his peers and challenges Totsuki's students as well as others in shokugeki competitions. Learning that his father was not only a student of Totsuki, but also the second seat in the Council of Ten; Soma plans on becoming the best at the academy.