Having completely transformed a former loading building at the women’s prison, the £640,000+ project was jointly funded by Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS), The Clink Charity and grant making trusts and philanthropists.
All equipment has also been donated or ‘extremely’ discounted by ‘generous’ industry suppliers – Churchill, Hoshizaki, Nayati and Winterhalter to name just a few.
As well as the kitchen, which can accommodate for up to 24 female prisoners at a time, the new facility also includes a 15-cover private dining room.
Run by Clink Events, the central production kitchen was created following the success of events and increasing demand for the charity’s services, which saw the caterer become one of the Guildhall (London’s) preferred caterers in January this year.
The Clink Charity chief executive, Chris Moore, explained: “ We train up to 24 prisoners at a time in the new central production kitchen. To date, the food preparation for external events has been done through the restaurant kitchens.
“However, due to the success of the events, we now need to increase capacity to prepare food for these events across London and the surrounding areas.”
All prisoners enrolled on the scheme will work towards gaining their Level 2 City and Guilds NVQ in food safety, food preparation and food and beverage service. They will provide catering for public cocktail parties, receptions, buffets and dinners, with graduates going on to serve guests at such events.
With room for up to 24 trainees at once, Clink Events hopes to see 50 prisoners gain their NVQ each year, to help them ‘gain employability within the hospitality industry upon release.” They will also receive mentoring upon release to further support them.
HMP Downview governor, Robin Eldridge, commented: “The creation of the Clink production kitchen at Downview is an exciting development and will further embed the positive partnership which exists between the Prison Service and The Clink Charity.
“The Clink production kitchen will offer women the opportunity to learn new skills and in doing so gain industry recognised qualifications.
“The practical work the women will undertake through The Clink, both within the prison and on temporary release, will improve their chances of obtaining paid employment on release and help them make a valuable contribution to their communities.”