JanisBehan.com

For the past 7 or 8 weeks, I have had the pleasure of doing the PR for season 2 of a television show being filmed here in Vancouver called Conviction Kitchen.

We knew it was going to be a big job, but man, am I so glad we went through with it. What a unique experience.

The show Conviction Kitchen is based on a Chef and his wife, Marc Thuet and Biana Zorich, who staff their restaurant with ex-convicts to give them a second chance at life. Not only is there a wonderful program behind this show to help these former offenders get started in a new career, but it’s great television. There is no need to create drama, because in this case, it creates itself.

Media coverage started out slow, with the exclusive first article going to Mia Stainsby of the Vancouver Sun. Then slowly but surely, more coverage started rolling in, and pretty soon the work was doing itself. See for yourself on Google. Marc Thuet + Biana Zorich, the pair who started this fantastic project, were thrilled with the coverage they received here in Vancouver.

We held a media tasting event, where we invited some select media + foodie bloggers to come taste the Conviction menu and cover the event. We also invited some of Vancouver’s top chefs who happen to be close friends with Chef Marc Thuet, and wanted to support his restaurant, and Marc and Biana’s initiative. The food was divine, and the event was well-received by all of those involved.

Media Table

Chef’s Table

Charcuterie & terrine platter

Lindt Chocolate tart

Friday, August 6, Dawn Chubai from Citytv’s Breakfast Television did the morning show on location at Delilah’s Conviction. 20 BT viewers came in for a one-time-only breakfast served by Marc Thuet. Those were 20 very lucky people (plus a few others, myself included). The breakfast served that morning was out of this world.

Myself + Dawn Chubai

Breakfast of champions

Dawn Chubai with Maggie, Zoran, Rhea, Mike, and Cassandra.

This past Saturday, August 7, was the wrap-up party and graduation for the 9 trainees that made it through the 8 weeks of training with Marc and Biana. It was a wonderful party to celebrate the last day of filming, that included a hefty guest list of some of Vancouver’s top local actors, top chefs, and a few friends and family. I have a set on Flickr that include the rest of the photos of some of these events.

Marc giving a speech at the wrap-up party

Congratulations to Marc, Biana, and all of the trainees, for a wonderful and interesting season in Vancouver. I had an amazing time working on this project, as well as experiencing the behind-the-scenes “magic”. Now, here’s hoping Chef Thuet opens one of his famous bakeries in Vancouver. Who needs a waistline, anyway?