Yesterday, I attended a sit-down tasting and media preview of Chef Marc Thuet’s Conviction Kitchen Season 2 being shot right here in Vancouver at landmark restaurant Delilah’s in the Westend.
The premise: “What do you get when you take one of the countryʼs top chefs, throw in a kitchen crew of ex-cons with no culinary experience, and give them just weeks to open a high-end restaurant from scratch?”
Well, the obvious answer is a “reality” show that will no doubt produce the requisite drama needed to hook viewers into watching a whole season of highly-entertaining kitchen porn, but if you look a little deeper, there is also a very human tale of redemption that makes a meal at Conviction Kitchen both memorable and rewarding.
Chef Marc Thuet, a self-confessed former “…hard-drinking, drug-taking, unfaithful, bankrupt lowlife”, along with his “explosive…perfectionist” wife and business partner, the alluring Biana Zorich, are on a culinary mission of mercy. Over the next few weeks, they will be providing tough love and mentorship to a group of ex-cons looking for a fresh start and a new career, all the while helping re-open a popular restaurant that launched the martini cocktail scene in the mid-eighties, now on the verge of celebrating her 25th birthday.
Here are a few shots from the brilliant 3 course meal I enjoyed yesterday, prepared and served by the show’s participants:
^ Chef Thuet's charcuterie & terrine platter, pickled vegetables and garnishes
Chef Thuet’s Alsatian choucroute is legendary, with much of the famed charcuterie being flown in from his Toronto restaurant for the show; my favourite was the silky smooth liver terrine on some of his fresh-baked Petite Thuet breads.
^ City TV's Breakfast Television Host, the effervescent Dawn Chubai is ready to eat
^ Choucroute de poisson with white spring salmon and ling cod quenelle
^ Alsatian pflutta served with braised pork belly and lamb cheeks
^ Lindt chocolate tarte and cocoa gelée
Conviction Kitchen is being shot everyday in the restaurant until August 7th and the dining public is encouraged to come be a part of the show and experience first hand Marc and Biana’s warm hospitality and tremendous efforts to transform this group of ex-cons into skilled and productive members of Vancouver’s hospitality industry.
^ Owner, Daniel Frankel, Season 2 Kitchen Confidential ex-cons, Chef Marc Thuet & Biana Zorich
Season 2 of Conviction Kitchen will air on Sundays at 9pm on Citytv this fall.
Delilah’s Conviction
1789 Comox Street | Vancouver
Tel: (604) 687-3424
www.delilahs.ca
~ PK
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Cooking staff congregate on the sidewalk smoking at the front door, less than 6 meters away from entrance. It’s pretty gross that the people who prepare food cannot follow some etiquette (let alone bylaw regulations). Makes you wonder if they wash their hands before food preparation. It will be fun for patrons who have to pass through the carcinogenic haze to get into the restaurant, don’t you think?
Just heads up about the smoking comment…..it is not uncommon for most people in that industry to smoke…and YES they wash their hands like everyone else in that profession….I would be more worried about the everyday people ie. grocery clerks, convience store workers or in fact everyone you come in contact with on everyday basis that dont wash thier hands after using the washroom…..p.s. I smoke….and I wash my hands!! I think Conviction is great concept and I heard the food is amazing!!!!
Just watched the first episode and loved it! It looks like the stage is set for some awesome drama. I hope there’s lots of fighting between Bianca and the owner. He seems like the typical douchebag restaurant owner. Bring it on!
Here’s an employee blog based on the show. I’m not there any more but should be great fun to read.
wwww.therealconviction.blogspot.com
I just started watching Conviction Kitchen on t.v. and I was so amazed that a restaurant would help recovering addicts develop a career. I have friends that are recovering addicts. So for me this goes along way. I will be coming to your restaurant, possibly 2 weeks from today.
I watch this show all the time and also think it is a great concept that some out there are willing to help people that got caught up in the wrong lifestyle. As such the people who go on about them smoking and not washing there hands. Give it a rest people. Just because people smoke does not mean that they don’t get simple etiquette. I am real tired of people acting like the people that smoke are all rude. Believe me I have seen people that don’t smoke and are 10 times ruder. Oh and this stupid bylaw is also stupid because where were all these do gooders years ago when it was everywhere and no body gave a damn. This bylaw makes people think that because you smoke then you are low class and that is all it does.
Just watched the first episode. Awesome concept, I love it! I, like many others I’m sure, thought Delilah’s was closed. Nobody’s heard a peep out of them in years! Maybe this show will revitalize an otherwise dead business. But Biana’s right, they need to get the place out of the 80’s haha. I think if it was up to her it would be a success, but leave it up to the owner’s meddling and it’ll flop.
My step-cousin or neice is on this show. I have yet to see it but am soooo proud of her for trying to get on track. It must be hard to have made bad choices and trying to leave the past behind and march forward. Kudos to you Etarre. Lela is smiling down on you! Make us all proud. And don’t be one of the ones smoking out front. Remember your mark in this life, is up to you. Genevieve would love to have a successful beautiful person like you in her life! You can do it. What am I saying, you are doing it. I love you and wish you and your Mom all the best
Admire the restraint of Stephen Bonner (GM) when the convict questions why she cannot handle cash or credit cards.
BOB R I THINK THAT PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE THE ONES WHO TRY TO GET A FREE MEAL LIKE THE IDIOTS ON THE SHOW AND USE THE PEOPLE AS AN EXCUSE WHO ARE TRYING TO HELP THEMSELVES, I ALSO THINK THAT YOU ARE A JUDGMENTAL PERSON AND DON’T GET THE CONCEPT OF THE SHOW WHICH IS HELPING PEOPLE CHANGE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AS FOR THE BYLAW AND YOUR EXCUSE FOR PUTTING THESE INDIVIDUALS DOWN IS RIDICULES AS YOUR COMMENT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE STORY OR SHOW. YESTERDAY WALKING BY MCDONALD’S I SEEN A GIRL NO MORE THAN 16 NOT ONLY SMOKING BUT THROWING THE BUTT ON THE GROUND, WHAT MAKES HER SO DIFFERENT THAN THE MULTIPLY PEOPLE IN THIS INDUSTRY, I GAVE YOU THE ATTENTION YOU SO WANTED TO READ AND I SUGGEST THAT YOU GROW UP A LITTLE AND SEE THE REAL PLATFORM WHICH IS NOT ONLY HELPING INDIVIDUALS BUT PUTTING THEM ON THE RIGHT PATH TO RECOVERY, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? I DON’T THINK MUCH BUT CRITICIZE PEOPLE YOU DON’T LIKE, I BET YOU NEVER EVEN WENT INTO THE RESTAURANT IN MY OPINION PUTTING PEOPLE DOWN YOU DON’T KNOW IS FAR WORSE THAN SMOKING, GOOD LUCK IN LIFE.
SOMEONE TOLD ME BEFORE THERE ARE TWO PEOPLE WHO HATE PEOPLE STUPID PEOPLE AND ENVIOUS PEOPLE I THINK THAT YOUR THE SECOND TYPE I HOPE SOMEONE GIVES YOU A CHANCE IN LIFE.
Hey, EMAGIK609
Why are you yelling? Is your keyboard broken?
Agreed Paul,
EMAGIK609 gave me a headache reading their comment. That’s quite a rant over Bob’s s smoking observation. I’m glad I worked with the staff at CK2. It was an experiement that did not succeed (unfortunately) – most of which was the fault of “trainees” themselves. Yes the industry can suck – you make $8 a hour plus tips (could be 5% or 25%), if you do not show up for work 3 out of 5 shifts – why should you be entiltled to a job?, CK2 did not succeed for most of the ex-con’s; but 2 really good employees who I will give references and support for who changed my life and views.
Just watched Conviction Kitchen for the first time. Episode was called, “One In One Out”. There was an argument on the line and the head chef Marc was on the line and in the middle of the argument and he waved his hand up and he was holding a lit cigarette in his left hand!!! Unbelievable in Vancouver that you cannot smoke inside an establishment but you can smoke while cooking other people’s food!!!!! YUCCCCHHHH!
I live in North August SC, which I am sure you guys have probably never even heard from. I am not an ex-convict but where I am from, just the stupid simple charge I have gotten cost me my job and intergity. I was making 13.50 an hour and had just gotten an increase to 14.69. I took care of my dying father in the past, but when it came to my mother (also my only real friend) I did not handle it well. My experience has always been with customer serive and I also have alot of serving skills. I do not really cook that well but love the shows. I know you guys have no reason to come to the south, but I was just wondering if there was anything you guys could suggest. I also am a single parent of a beatuiful son was is 17 and all he wants to do is to go to college. If you guys can help me with suggestions, please feel free to call me (803) 979-5947 or email me annsaverance@bellsouth.net As I stated before I live in
the United States and actually have one year college experience in hospitily education. Thanks, for at least having a website to where I could actually write this.
God Bless
Jana Saverance