Thuet's Conviction in Vancouver

VANCOUVER—Marc Thuet, owner of Toronto restaurant Conviction and its predecessor Bite Me, is bringing his show west.

Thuet and his wife and business partner Biana Zorich are set to launch a new season of their reality show, Conviction Kitchen, where ex-cons are the stars looking for a new start.

The original Conviction restaurant on King Street in Toronto, attracted attention last year for hiring a rough, but willing to learn collection of wait staff and cooks, all former criminals.

Now the concept is coming to Vancouver, with filming of a second season set to kick off in the spring in a still to be determined location.

Thuet and Zorich have rounded up a new batch of Vancouver ex-cons looking to take their turn in front of the stove or waiting tables, as they attempt to straighten out their lives.

Some of the more seasoned staff from the Toronto location will work in the Vancouver restaurant, as they fight it out to land a managerial job.

A third season of Conviction Kitchen is also in the works, this time set in the United States.