Shogo Ban (Jun Matsumoto) is a cocky, arrogant and fiercely driven youngster, who aspires to become a first-class chef. After enjoying success as a junior chef back home, Ban is ready to flaunt his skills when he comes to train at the prestigious Trattoria Baccanale in Tokyo, but his pride is shattered upon finding himself completely helpless in the cutting-edge kitchen. Ban is rebuked, beaten and disgraced, but to the surprise of his colleagues, he humbles himself and presses onward with an ever positive attitude. To such a headstrong, fledgling chef is given the nickname, "Bambino" which means "baby" in Italian. The drama "Bambino!" unfolds in the battlegrounds of an intense, fast-paced kitchen. It is a human drama that depicts the wonder of men and women living out their lives in pursuit of excellence and distinction.

立志成为一名出色的料理人，主人公伴省吾（松本润饰）从家乡的意大利餐馆来到东京六本木的超一流餐厅「巴卡纳蕾」，是一个自得自满、固执己见、自尊心强的现代年轻人。在家乡的餐馆独挡一面，对自己的厨艺也非常有自信的伴，来到超一流餐厅「巴卡纳蕾」最前线的厨房，他自己的那点本事根本算不了什么，他的骄傲严重被挫败。可是连连失败、被骂、反抗、反省等，遭受一连串的挫折却始终百折不挠。人们给不够成熟、半人份儿的主人公起了个绰号，意味着「婴儿」的意大利语「斑比诺(banbino)」。

在充满热情、激烈、快节奏的厨房这个战场上，斑比诺不管遇到什么困难，为实现梦想而勇往直前。电视剧「料理新鲜人！」不仅仅是料理本身，还描写了做料理的人们的生存方式和工作。