How does Yukihira Soma get into Totsuki Culinary Academy? On season 1 episode 2, it is quite clear that Nakiri Erina rejects Somas application and says nobody passed the transfer exam.

I'm aware of the single shot which shows the director hanging in the background, but he didn't taste the food nor is it clear that he issued the invitation to Soma.

So how does Soma get invited to Totsuki?
Chapter 4 of the manga, when Nakiri is toeing off against Souma after the welcoming ceremonies and we see the headmaster watching them, we get the following flashback page: