Part of a much wider scheme, the food served by Clink Events is prepared by prisoners training in the restaurant kitchens at HMP High Down in Surrey and HMP Brixton in London.
Alberto Crisci, founder of the charity, said: “It’s incredible how far The Clink concept has come in such a short space of time. With three training restaurants in operation and a fourth due to open at HMP Styal in spring 2015, The Clink Gardens at HMP Send and now Clink Events it means we are over half way to our goal of having ten training projects in operation by the end of 2017.”
In order to offer a full service, from the food creation through to serving at the event, Clink Events has established a collaborative partnership with Centrepoint, the UK’s leading young homeless charity.
Candidates from Centrepoint undergo a half-day’s training programme to equip them with the confidence, knowledge and skill to serve guests food and drink. Each person taking part receives a certificate of achievement that they can use when looking for employment.
Crisci added: “Clink Events supports the rehabilitation revolution and will work alongside and promote other work-based prisoner training projects. We are using bread from the Bad Boys Bakery, ‘Banged up Bangers’ made from Hewell Grange rare breed pigs, fruit and vegetables from The Clink Gardens at HMP Send, wooden serving boards from The Mount Prison and uniforms from the tailoring workshop at HMP Brixton that works with The London College of Fashion workshop at HMP Holloway.”
Dishes available as part of Clink Events menus include pulled pork & lime apple crostini with crispy sage leaves, slow braised beef cheeks with red wine and porcini mushrooms, pilaf rice, aubergine caviar with rosemary pita bread and handmade chocolate & rum truffles.
Clink Events is available for receptions and standing parties of up to 500 people, food is delivered to event venues within the M25 by refrigerated vehicles supplied by 3663.