Prue Leith to host afternoon tea and book talk at The Clink Restaurant in HMP Brixton

This month, chef and broadcaster Prue Leith is hosting afternoon tea and a chat about her new book, Being Old – And Learning to Love It, at The Clink Restaurant inside HMP Brixton. Taking place from 11.30am to 2pm on Tuesday 26^th May, the event supports The Clink Charity, the rehabilitation organisation Leith has backed for more than a decade.

The charity was founded in 2009 with the aim of reducing reoffending by training and supporting people in and leaving prisons for careers in hospitality, food production and horticulture. Leith was involved in the establishment of the bakery at HMP Brixton, which trains serving prisoners in artisanal bread and pastry production. She has spoken publicly about the role hospitality training can play in reducing reoffending among people leaving the prison system.

In addition to the restaurant and bakery at HMP Brixton, the charity runs therapeutic horticulture training programmes at HMP Send and HMP Erlestoke, and operates Clink Events, a catering enterprise that serves venues across London with food prepared by students at HMP Downview women’s prison and by a production kitchen in Herne Hill. The charity also runs The Clink Training Café in south London, a community-based initiative aimed at young people considered to be at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

Guests attending Leith’s event will be served an afternoon tea prepared by trainees at The Clink Bakery. The menu will include freshly baked scones served with the celebrity chef’s own marmalade, alongside a selection of traditional savoury and sweet items. Later on, Leith will share anecdotes from her career and discuss themes from her new book, moving between tables to speak to her guests.

According to figures released by the The Clink, in 2025 they trained close to 400 people and delivered 420 NVQ qualifications. Clink Events catered for 239 events during the same year, serving 42,255 people and providing more than 22,050 hours of training for students. The upcoming afternoon tea presents an opportunity for diners to support the charity’s continuing good work. Tickets are priced at £55, with an option to purchase a signed copy of the book at an additional cost. 

Food Desk

Afternoon Tea with Prue Leith takes place on 26^th May 2026 at The Clink Restaurant, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF. For further information or to book tickets, visit here.

For further information about The Clink Charity, visit their website here.