Ex-Cons Return to the Kitchen as Planet Green Serves Up a Second Season of CONVICTION KITCHEN

SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- What would happen if you took a world-renowned chef, gave him a kitchen crew consisting of ex-convicts and recovering addicts with no culinary experience, and asked him to open a high-end restaurant within weeks?  This is the reality of the Planet Green series CONVICTION KITCHEN.  The second season of the emotionally charged restaurant drama premieres January 14 at 10:00 p.m. (ET).

In season two of CONVICTION KITCHEN, acclaimed executive chef, Marc Thuet, and his wife and business partner, Biana Zorich, once again put their reputations on the line with the high-stakes challenge of opening a restaurant in a very short amount of time, depending entirely on inexperienced ex-cons.  Thuet, who has had his own struggles with drugs and alcohol, is passionate about helping these ex-criminals and drug addicts who are trying to overcome their demons.  The challenge will push Thuet and Zorich—as well as their new staff—to the limit.

With the clock ticking, Marc and Biana must train a staff of former offenders, craft an enticing menu and create a high-end restaurant in one of Vancouver's most popular neighborhoods under a tight budget and restricted time frame.  The real test for the ex-cons will be the challenge of completing a grueling culinary boot camp and seeing if they can make it to opening night, as they have been offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance, hoping to cook up a bright new future and stay on the right side of the law.

"Planet Green is excited to bring back CONVICTION KITCHEN for a second season of emotionally charged programming, introducing another batch of interesting and challenging characters as Marc and Biana risk it all to make their new restaurant a success," said Laura Michalchyshyn, president and general manager of Planet Green.  "CONVICTION KITCHEN gives viewers an inside look at the ever-stressful world of the restaurant industry with additional drama added by a staff of ex-convicts, resulting in television that is unbelievably compelling and undeniably engaging."

CONVICTION KITCHEN is an eight-part series produced for Planet Green by Cineflix (Dinners 2) Inc.  Simon Lloyd and Gerard Barry are executive producers for Cineflix.  Executive producer for Planet Green is Lynn Sadofsky.

More information on CONVICTION KITCHEN can be found at planetgreen.com/conviction kitchen or at press.discovery.com.

About Planet Green:

Planet Green is the multiplatform media destination for people looking for something new.  Launched on June 4, 2008, Planet Green is following the evolving conversation about sustainability and is the entertainment brand that champions the visionaries who move our world forward in small and large ways.  Planet Green and its two robust Web sites, planetgreen.com and TreeHugger.com, offer unique, insightful and inspiring content related to how we can evolve to live a better, brighter future.  Planet Green's original programming, digital tools and content will entertain, educate and activate.

SOURCE Planet Green