What's Cooking?

On a vibrant Thanksgiving Day in Los Angeles, four diverse families come together to celebrate the holiday. Each family brings their unique backgrounds and culinary traditions, setting the stage for a day filled with personal struggles and triumphs.

The Seelig family prepares to welcome their daughter Rachel back home, accompanied by her girlfriend Carla. Ruth and Herb, Rachel's parents, face the challenge of accepting their daughter's sexuality, leading to an emotional buildup during the family's dinner gathering.

During dinner, Herb's sister Bea unintentionally puts Rachel on the spot with personal questions about her love life. This moment creates tension within the family as Rachel is forced to navigate her family's expectations and her own truth.

In a surprising twist, Rachel reveals to her family that she is pregnant and that Jerry, who is also gay, was the sperm donor. This shocking news sends shockwaves through the Seelig family as they grapple with their evolving understanding of love and family.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Elizabeth Avila deals with her own turmoil after separating from her husband, Javier. When their son Tony invites Javier to Thanksgiving dinner despite Lizzy's objections, the atmosphere becomes charged with unresolved issues and familial discord.

Lizzy's daughter Gina returns from college with her Vietnamese-American boyfriend, Jimmy. The family struggles with unwelcoming comments directed at Jimmy, showcasing the deep-seated prejudices that linger in their household during this supposedly festive occasion.

Ronald Williams, an aide to the conservative governor, deals with tension stemming from his activist son Michael. The familial strain escalates as they prepare for Thanksgiving dinner, influenced by Ronald's work environment and Michael's rebellious actions.

During the Thanksgiving dinner, Ronald's white colleague James arrives with his family, adding pressure on Ronald and his family. The dinner table becomes a shared space where unspoken conflicts emerge and personal issues come to a boiling point.

As dinner progresses, longstanding conflicts between Ronald and Michael are brought to light. The two engage in a cathartic reconciliation, highlighting the delicate balance between familial love and individual beliefs.

At the Nguyen household, teenage challenges come to the forefront as oldest son Jimmy deceives his parents about his Thanksgiving plans. This revelation creates a divide between generations, as parents struggle to understand their children's choices.

Jenny, the daughter of the Nguyen family, faces scrutiny when a hidden condom is discovered, revealing her romantic involvement with a white boyfriend. This incident leads to serious conversations about trust and cultural differences within the family.

Tensions spiral in the Nguyen household when Gary, their younger son, discovers a gun. This alarming situation forces the family to confront their challenges head-on, culminating in a crisis that threatens to tear them apart.

Despite the various challenges faced by each family, the spirit of Thanksgiving brings them together. As they sit down for the meal, the families learn to navigate their differences, exchanging heartfelt moments that promote love and acceptance.

During the dinner, numerous unexpected guests show up, making the gathering even more dynamic and unpredictable. Each family member grapples with their emotions while embracing the notion of community and shared experiences.

As the evening concludes, the families reflect on their individual journeys, recognizing the strength found in vulnerability. This Thanksgiving becomes a memorable occasion marked by reconciliation, love, and a renewed sense of family unity.