Conviction Kitchen

"Conviction Kitchen," a new reality show set to air in Canada this fall, puts 13 formerly incarcerated people to work in a fine-dining restaurant as chefs Marc Thuet and Biana Zorich train them to cook and serve. Thuet transformed a Toronto restaurant and renamed it 'Conviction,' opening in May with his staff of former prisoners. He has high hopes for the show's success, both in the ratings and in convincing viewers that it's okay to hire people who have served time behind bars. But an article on the show in Playback Magazine is - sadly but realistically - less hopeful about the chances of a show like this in the U.S.

(The show's production company,) Cineflix, has already fielded offers from international broadcasters to acquire the Canadian series. Securing a U.S. deal is more problematic. U.S. broadcasters have already told (Cineflix President Simon) Lloyd a series about ex-cons will never fly in an American society where the concept of "rehabilitation" has little value. Thuet's French accent also doesn't help the cause.

It's sad that it's an accepted fact that rehabilitation has no value in the U.S. We have a long way to go. My friend Ryan, who sent me this link, wonders whether this is a chicken-and-egg dilemma. Does the media dictate values or reflect them?

Regardless of American views, this project is an admirable one. Thuet says he has struggled with drug addiction in the past and believes in giving second chances.

"This [TV show] will move viewers, and prove you can hire these people. They are grabbing this second chance and turning around their lives," he insists.

Watch a trailer of the show and check out Conviction's menu.