Giorgio Locatelli and Vic Laws become ambassadors of The Clink

By Emma Eversham

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Giorgio locatelli Catering

Vic Laws, The Clink's new Restaurant Ambassador, trains prisoners to work front-of-house twice a month
Vic Laws, The Clink's new Restaurant Ambassador, trains prisoners to work front-of-house twice a month
Chef Giorgio Locatelli and catering consultant Vic Laws have been appointed ambassadors of commercial prison restaurant, The Clink.

The pair, who have both given their support to the 85-cover restaurant since it opened at H.M.P. High Down in Surrey, are the first people to take on the official roles.

Locatelli, who has hosted training sessions for prisoners at The Clink and has cooked alongside them at three of its special events, said becoming Chef Ambassador was a 'huge honour'.

"I wholeheartedly believe in the objectives of The Clink and I am exceedingly pleased to be a part of it," he said.

Hospitality volunteering

Laws, who has more than 50 years experience working in the industry, including work at Forte, Grand Metropolitan and ARA Catering, has the title Restaurant Ambassador. Despite having his hands full with his own catering consultancy, Laws volunteers his time twice a month to train front-of-house staff.

He said: “Working so closely with The Clink has been a fantastic opportunity to help make a difference and support the rehabilitation of the prisoners. This is extremely important to me and I will continue to support and encourage the incredible work that The Clink carries out."

Training and rehabilitation

The Clink is the first commercial restaurant to be built inside a working British prison. Opened in May 2009 by chef Alberto Crisci, with support from the prison's governor Peter Dawson and Kate Quigley-Ruby, it was set up with the aim of giving practical hospitality training to prisoners to help them prepare for jobs in the industry.

Food is prepared, cooked and served by 20 prisoners, who have applied to work and train towards obtaining their City and Guilds qualifications in food preparation and food service.

A not-for-profit venture, it is hoped that the restaurant will pull in potential employers, giving the inmates a chance to get their lives back on track.

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