Recap: Welcome to Merinac, Y'all! - Season 1 - Episode 1

Merinac is a seemingly quaint small town, but beneath the surface lies a century-old feud. Over 100 years ago, best friends Frannie and Mimi, known for their near-perfect fried chicken, built the town’s main street together. But when Frannie suspected her husband had fathered Mimi’s baby, a bitter rivalry was born, splitting the town into opposing sides.

In the present, Mimi’s descendant Amanda is feeling unfulfilled. She wants another baby, but her husband, Frank Jr., worries about their struggling restaurant. While searching for inspiration, Amanda comes across an ad for Ultimate Kitchen Clash and sees an opportunity.

Flashbacks reveal Amanda growing up in the family business, Mimi’s Chicken, and falling in love with Frank Jr. from rival Frannie’s Chicken. Their marriage angered Amanda’s mother, Augusta “Gus,” who saw it as a betrayal. Though Amanda and Frank Jr. were happy for a time, Amanda’s joy has faded, leaving her questioning her choices. Determined to shake things up, she applies for Kitchen Clash.

Amanda is stunned when celebrity host Sabrina Sky calls to say the show is coming to Merinac. While Frank Jr. is eager to win, his mom Nancy, who runs Frannie’s Chicken, is hesitant. Amanda believes it could be great for the town, but Nancy wants Gus’ approval first—though word has already spread.

Amanda dreads telling her mother but is further shaken when she catches her own daughter, Frankie, watching her estranged sister Mae’s makeover show, Sparkling. Feeling betrayed, she heads to Mimi’s Chicken, where she meets the new cook, Sergio. Amanda pitches Kitchen Clash to Gus, who agrees—on one condition: Mae must be there.

In New York, Mae is focused on her show’s possible renewal, but her fiancé suggests they travel before the wedding and visit her hometown. Uncomfortable, Mae deflects—she has hidden her past and isn’t about to reveal it now.

Amanda calls Mae, asking her to come back for Kitchen Clash. Mae refuses, insisting it would destroy their mother. Amanda accuses her of being ashamed of Merinac. Unwilling to revisit her past, Mae declines. Amanda tells Sergio that Mae isn’t coming, and they discuss a plan to move forward.

At Frannie’s Chicken, Nancy struggles with self-doubt, but her employee Shawna encourages her to embrace her vibrant self. Meanwhile, Amanda and Sergio brainstorm a plan to split the potential winnings between both restaurants. A spark begins to form between them.

Inspired by Shawna’s advice, Nancy arrives at Frannie’s, camera-ready for Kitchen Clash. Meanwhile, Amanda shares the plan to share the prize money, but Frank Jr. refuses.

Mae’s life takes a turn when she’s blindsided by the news that Sparkling is letting her go. The network sees her as too elitist, alienating rural audiences. Desperate, she reveals her small-town roots, but it does no good.

Back in Merinac, Amanda is surprised when the Kitchen Clash crew, led by Sabrina Sky, arrives earlier than expected—part of Frank Jr.’s strategy. Nancy urges Amanda to own the moment, no matter what Gus thinks. Just as Amanda starts to feel proud of her decision, Mae unexpectedly arrives.

It turns out Amanda’s daughter called Mae and convinced her to come. Gus is stunned but happy to see her.

As everyone gathers, tension lingers—not just between Amanda and Mae, but also between Mae and Sabrina, hinting at a mysterious past connection. And the stage is set for a dramatic showdown in Merinac.