Culinary talent. Redemption stories. Real impact. This isn’t just reality TV—it’s a movement.
Redemption Meets Reality TV
2nd Chance Chefs is a powerful new television series where formerly incarcerated individuals get a shot at redemption—through the heat of the kitchen. This isn’t just another cooking competition. It’s transformation on camera. And off it.
What if Top Chef gave ex-felons a real second chance—and changed lives for good?”
What’s the Show About?
Each episode features reformed citizens showcasing their culinary skills in high-stakes challenges—while sharing their journey from prison to purpose. At the end? One chef earns a life-changing opportunity. ✅ Real people ✅ Real pressure ✅ Real second chances Below are some examples of the challenges our 2nd Chance Chefs Will face!
Imposible Ingredient
Contestants are given a single, unassuming ingredient (e.g., canned beans, instant noodles, or plain rice) and must transform it into a gourmet dish. The twist? They must use the ingredient in a way that’s completely unexpected.
Menu Creation
Contestants first create a menu out of variety of items. Then race the clock to execute the perfect dish from your menu. And finally you are judged on your presentation.
Desert Tasting Notes
Contestants create a dessert that reflects a specific flavor profile. This tests their ability to match flavors and present them in a unique way.
Want to Get Involved?
This project is looking for:
📺 Media & network partners
💰 Impact-aligned investors & sponsors
🎯 Sponsors
A cooking show where the prize isn’t just fame, but freedom—a second chance after prison.”
Over 600,000 people leave prison each year in the U.S.
Most are never given a true second chance.
2nd Chance Chefs shifts the narrative—one story, one plate, one career at a time.
A portion of the show’s proceeds will fund a Culinary School for Reentry, offering training, mentorship, and job placement for returning citizens.
Ours Is A Collective Story of Redemption
Meet The Creators
Chopper Stylz
My name is Cooper Casner, and I’m an executive chef, artist, and the co-creator of Second Chance Chef—a culinary project born from one of the darkest chapters of my life.
I grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, where I was surrounded by a rich blend of cultures and flavors that ignited my love for cooking. But beneath the surface, I was silently battling bipolar disorder and addiction. In 2017, those battles culminated in a series of decisions that changed my life forever: I was convicted of armed bank robbery and sentenced to 12 years in federal prison.
That conviction was my rock bottom—and ultimately, my turning point.
Behind bars, I had no distractions. Just time. Time to reflect. Time to take responsibility. And time to rebuild. During those years, I confronted the pain I had caused others and the chaos within myself. I also discovered unexpected sources of healing: the structure of cooking, the therapy of creating art, and the clarity that came through self-discipline and spiritual growth.
It was in that same prison that I met Emanoel Borisov—someone who saw beyond my past and believed in my future. Together, we began dreaming up a concept that combined our shared love for food with a deeper purpose: giving others the same hope and opportunity we were fighting for. That dream became Second Chance Chef—a platform that fuses high-stakes culinary challenges with stories of redemption, mental health recovery, and personal transformation.
The idea was simple: show the world that people can change. That even in a system designed to punish, there’s room for growth. That beyond the labels—felon, addict, criminal—there are stories worth telling and talents worth nurturing.
Today, I continue to cook with passion—but now I do it with purpose. I prioritize my mental health, my sobriety, and my community. I speak openly about the power of accountability, healing, and second chances.
Because I’m living proof that one bad chapter doesn’t define your story.
Boris
My name is Emanoel Borisov—most know me as Boris. I was born in Bulgaria and came to America at 17, chasing success but losing myself along the way. Prison was my wake-up call. It stripped away the noise and brought me back to what truly matters: purpose, passion, and people.
While incarcerated in West Texas, I met Cooper Casner—“Chop”—and together we dreamed up Second Chance Chef. The idea was simple but powerful: food as redemption. We had seen firsthand the raw talent and resilience in prison kitchens, and we knew their stories deserved a platform.
This show is for the forgotten—the ones judged by their past but ready to fight for their future. I’ve lived through injustice, near-death, and transformation. I’ve seen how a love for food can unite, heal, and give purpose. It gave me mine back.
Even now, as I fight to stay in the country I call home, I hold tight to the belief that anyone willing to change deserves a second chance.
Some of Our 2nd Chance Chefs and Their Stories
2nd Chance Chef transformed my life! The cooking competition pushed my culinary skills to new heights and gave me the confidence I needed. The supportive community and inspiring atmosphere in Charleston made every moment unforgettable. Highly recommend this for anyone seeking a fresh start!
- Alex Johnson
Join Our Group, Share Your Story!
Are You a Formerly Incarcerated Individual Who is Passionate About Cooking? Connect with other 2nd Chance Chefs. Share your story and get a chance to be on the Reality TV Show 2nd Chance Chef!
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