Conviction Kitchen (Australia)

Conviction Kitchen (Australia) is a reality television series based on a Canadian series of the same name. The series follows a group of convicted criminals as they train in either back or front of house restaurant operations. The show was produced by the Seven Network and premiered 22 February 2011. The series includes Melbourne-based chef Ian Curley and restaurant manager Lisa Parker as mentors. Curley initially turned down the chance to star in the series as he felt there were already more than enough TV Chefs. He latter relented as he felt he could relate to the contestants. The series saw the ex-inmates complete two weeks of training and six weeks working in a fully operational restaurant, Bistro Three, at the Emporium centre in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley. Some were chosen to work front of house with the others training as kitchen staff. They earned the award minimum hourly wage, plus tips.