Plot

Carmy and Richie cater a kid's birthday party. Tina and Sydney work together while Marcus makes donuts.

Marcus peers through the window of Roeser's Bakery and is mesmerised by the process of how donuts are made. From the batter being mixed, the icings being made, donuts being deep fried and dusted in sugar and glazed, then garnished before being displayed at the front. He is gaining inspiration after accepting more responsibility to become the Pastry Chef at the Beef restaurant.

At the restaurant, Carmy and Richie load up the car for a catering job at a children's party in order to pay off the debt that Michael had accrued to Uncle Jimmy. Richie attempts to put a small shirt on an oversized inflatable hotdog. Carmy does not see the humour in Richie's actions and states that he does not want his legs broken by Uncle Jimmy. Richie is reluctant to help out as he states that he would be set back on his administrative duties at the restaurant. Carmy laughs at Richie incredulously and they have a tussle which ends up popping the inflatable hotdog.

Marcus revels in his new duties of being able to bake a chocolate cake instead of having to bake bread. He asks Sydney to try his cake and she is impressed which means a lot to him. Sydney checks in on Tina to ensure that she understands the new procedures and recipes, but Tina remains stubborn and disregards her advice, especially to ensure that the heat is not too high. Sydney tries to relate to Tina by explaining that her duty is to follow somebody else's orders and understands the struggles of being a woman working in hospitality. This does not make an impression on Tina, who argues that she has more experience in the kitchen than Sydney has been alive.

As Carmy and Richie drive to the birthday party, Richie tells Carmy that Uncle Jimmy has moved houses since Carmy was last in Chicago and that they have been going the wrong way. Richie brings up the deep-seated animosity between him and Uncle Jimmy and states that he hates being called Rick. He tells Carmy that he will keep the peace. However, when they arrive, Richie and Uncle Jimmy immediately get into a heated argument about a previous work incident where Richie is blamed for not picking up the phone and losing a contract. Uncle Jimmy also lauds over Richie that he always has to do him favours, then ends the argument by calling Richie "Rick".

While Carmy is slicing oranges, an elderly family friend mistakes him for Michael, who had committed suicide. Richie continues to rant about Uncle Jimmy, stating that he feigns his Italian heritage and is actually Polish. Carmy rebuffs Richie by stating Richie is also feigning an Italian heritage. Before continuing with work, Richie chews on prescription anxiety medication and leaves the bottle on the table. Carmy is frustrated when he discovers Richie did not pack ketchup due to philosophical differences on what condiments should go on a hot dog.

At the restaurant, Marcus and Ebraheim discuss the perfect donut. Marcus' idea is a jelly-filled, bright purple, sweet and tangy combination. Marcus' roommate, Chester who is a designer, delivers a book of pantone colour references. Marcus has a goal to make his own perfect donut, as he is inspired by Carmy's plum dessert, and wants to serve it at the restaurant. Sydney supports his aspirations despite The Beef not having the necessary equipment.

Sydney checks in on the dish washers and asks their preferences for the pre-service family meal. Fak asks Sydney if he can have some food but is denied. Ebraheim compliments Sydney for inspiring confidence in Marcus but Tina remains unimpressed. Marcus continues to draw prototypes of his vision of the donuts. He also purchases two dozen different flavoured donuts to research their texture with Fak.

As Carmy walks through the house to find more equipment, he is warmly greeted by other family members. Jimmy's adolescent son is mad that the other children at the party are behaving wildly and opening his presents. Carmy is ridiculed by his family friends who are condescending toward his occupation in the hospitality industry. Pete, Natalie's husband, is also attending the party and immediately defends Carmy. He states that Carmy was the Head Chef at the literal best restaurant in the world. Carmy remains ambivalent.

As Richie continues to grill the hot dogs, Jimmy joins him to escape the mayhem that the children are causing. Richie and Jimmy are still upset at each other, but bond over a mutual hatred of Pete. Jimmy feels like Pete will report them to the police. When Richie has an awkward encounter with another party guest, Jimmy makes fun of him for his poor work ethic, especially for not answering his phone. Richie is adamant that he never received phone calls, so Jimmy reads a message from a client who states a phone number. Richie tells Jimmy that it was Michael's number and not his. Afterwards, they both bond over their mutual anguish over Michael's death.

In the restaurant kitchen, Tina is behind on her work and has ignored Sydney's instructions. But Sydney continues to provide feedback to use a salt bed when roasting the potatoes and to use a knife to peel the hot skins instead of a dirty rag. Marcus begins to make a frosting for his cake.

As Carmy is making hotdogs, Jimmy and Richie are laughing together. When Pete interrupts, the mood is ruined and Jimmy leaves immediately. Nobody laughs at Pete's jokes and are uncomfortable in his presence. He helps himself to Carmy's Ghostbuster-inspired Ecto Cooler drink. Pete makes a remark that all the children have suddenly fallen asleep in the backyard. As he continues to drink the Ecto Cooler, he yawns and becomes drowsy himself. He tries to compliment Carmy by stating that he followed all of Carmy's achievements while he was cooking in restaurants overseas. Pete also tells Carmy that Natalie was also proud of him and misses him a lot but that she resents Carmy for ignoring her. Before Pete leaves, he laughs at the inflatable hotdog with a shirt duct-taped onto it. When Carmy refills the container of Ecto Cooler drink, he realises that the bottle of Richie's anxiety medication was accidentally placed inside. Carmy is hesitant, but informs Jimmy of the situation. Jimmy is amused and instead of being angry, he compliments Carmy for bringing peace and quiet.

Back at the restaurant, Tina allows the pot of milk to boil over on the stove and has to dispose of it. She is immensely frustrated at herself. When she comes back, she sees that a new pot of milk and herbs are placed onto the stove. She is angry that Sydney has been watching her, but Sydney states that she does not have time to waste. As Tina finishes the mashed potatoes, she tastes it and is impressed at the new recipe.

As Carmy is cleaning up after the party, he sees a picture of his father and Uncle Jimmy from 1992. Carmy admits that he did not know his father enough to miss him. Jimmy states that he saw Carmy's father as more of a friend than family as they were of similar age and had similar problems. He says that it had been 20 years since the last time he had spoken to Carmy's dad because they had grown apart after Carmy's dad lacked a direction in life and career. After the seeing the success of the Ed Debevic's diner, Carmy's dad copied the trend and opened The Original Beef restaurant. Jimmy admits that he hates going into the restaurant due to bad memories and cannot understand why Carmy wants to fix it. He lacks faith in the restaurant's success. Jimmy tells an allegory of a near-miss accident during a road trip when Carmy's dad was launched through the windshield due to refusing to wear a seatbelt. He then tells Carmy that after catering the party, that he has subtracted $2000 from the original debt of $300 000.

At the restaurant, Tina doubts herself as she is asked to present the mashed potatoes. To Tina's surprise, Sydney compliments her food. This instils a confidence in her and she finally thanks Sydney. Marcus is in his own world as he garnishes his completed chocolate cake in orange zest. When it is time to leave the birthday party, Jimmy finally shakes Richie's hand and calls him "Richard" out of respect. Richie reciprocates. They find Pete sleeping in the living room and have to drive him home. In his intoxicated stupor, he thanks Carmy and Richie for being allowed to be a part of the family and creating memories. Richie refuses to acknowledge Pete, but Carmy apologises to Pete, presumably for the way he had treated him poorly in the past. Carmy and Richie arrive in the restaurant at night for the pre-service dessert during family meal which is Marcus' chocolate cake. Carmy personally compliments Marcus which makes him smile. Tina is exhausted while she eats her food alone and ponders the things she learned throughout the day.