Celebrity chef becomes ambassador for prison restaurant (From Your Local Guardian)

Celebrity chef Antonio Carluccio becomes ambassador for prison restaurant

11:08am Wednesday 18th January 2012 in Sutton By Sophia Sleigh

A famous chef has been appointed ambassador for the Clink prison restaurant.

Culinary expert, Antonio Carluccio has become chef ambassador for the Clink, the first commercial restaurant built inside a working British prison.

Mr Carluccio will join fellow Italian gastronome, Giorgio Locatelli for the next three years at the restaurant in HMP High Down.

Mr Carluccio has over 50 years worth of experience in cooking and eating authentic Italian food.

Over the past year he has dedicated a great deal of time and expertise to the Clink, running workshops for prisoners and hosting fundraising events to increase awareness and funds for the charity.

Mr Carluccio said: “To be made a Chef Ambassador of The Clink is a great honour for me and I am extremely proud of the work and progress that has been achieved over the last 12 months.

"Working closely with the prisoners has been hugely rewarding and I look forward to continuing the training with them throughout 2012.”

The restaurant seats up to 90 diners and food is prepared, cooked and served by the prisoners who have applied to work and train towards obtaining their City and Guilds qualifications in food preparation and food service.

The Clink has trained 111 prisoners since opening in 2009, 26 of which have been released with 22 currently in full-time employment and just two reoffending.