Jailhouse on the rocks, anyone? Elvis will probably find this variation of one of his more popular songs a bit on the culinary side. A couple of former inmates working as the kitchen staff of a swanky resto will definitely raise the eyebrow of some people but reality bites . . . reality shows that is.

You can download the this week’s  format HERE (or grab the full newspaper HERE,) or just keep reading (the unrated version) below.

Episode 1 – Edgy Summer Cocktails at Conviction Kitchen

Image cutline: Simon concocts cool cocktails under the hot film lights.

Summer is upon us.  Vancouver, very much like our mayor, is two-faced.  One week, we feel like we’re in bone-chilling November when nobody’s on the bike-lanes, the next, it’s frickin’ Summer!  It’s time to enjoy a refreshing cocktail and relax in the sun.

Raj:  So what about a bunch of sweaty ex-convicts in a kitchen?

Fury:  Yes folks, they’re filming the second season of “Conviction Kitchen” at a Westend icon, Delilah’s.  Reality shows usually irk me but I’ve really warmed up to these boys.

Raj:  Well, that’s because you fed them a bunch of vodka shots and bonded with them in the kitchen!  But Simon and Stephen, the management, are here to handle any drama.  Imagine a group that’s mired in tardiness, lacking in attention to detail, and are overall nonchalant about work.

Fury:  You mean they perfected their hustle in jail. So back to Simon, the head-bartender.  He started off in Australia, found a job at the faux Earls on Alberni… what do they call that place?

Raj: Oh ya, Town Hall.  I vowed once to never ever go back, but then I discoveredSimon, who’s graduated to a legendary establishment that actually suits his talents.

Fury: After six cocktails, we agreed that the Cherry Caiprinha is the money shot.  For one, he utilized the best of B.C. to concoct the signature drink, including sunny Ranier Cherries and organic Okanagan honey.

Raj: As a well-travelled bloke, he’s experienced both goodness and grit. Take, for example, his contribution of African teas to the beverage, add the complexity of his work environment and the possibility that the wrong cocktail might leave him with a shank in the back. Working at Conviction Kitchen can be perilous, I’m sure!

Fury: No mis-steps on Simon’s part yet. The team’s unique characters, the restaurant’s historic charm, combined with that Caiprinha made for an entertaining start in our search for THE ultimate Summer cocktail.

—

Raj Taneja is part technologist, entrepreneur, social media juggernaut and foodie. He runs urbanmixer.com and publishes a miscellany of musings at raj.jp and on twitter @tinhead. Melody Fury is the founder of Vancouver Food Tour.  Follow this YVR lifestyle ambassador on twitter @GourmetFury.