'First Dates' maître d's charity unveils new restaurant in Staffordshire women's prison
A new training restaurant inside HMP Drake Hall will equip women prisoners with hospitality skills, supported by the Government’s £1.5m fund and Hilton, aiming to reduce reoffending and address staff shortages.
A training restaurant named Flavours Unlocked has opened at HMP Drake Hall in Staffordshire, offering prisoners industry-standard hospitality training. The initiative, led by charity The Right Course, aims to provide participants with recognised qualifications and direct employment links. The programme is supported by Hilton, which has contributed expert trainers and best practices to ensure high training standards. The opening was attended by Minister for the Future of Work Kate Dearden, highlighting the government’s commitment to reducing reoffending through education and employment.
The Right Course, founded by Fred Sirieix, is backed by £1.5m from the Government’s Hospitality Support Fund over 2026-27, alongside additional grants from the Hospitality Grant Scheme. The charity’s mission is to create pathways to employment for prisoners, reducing reoffending and supporting the hospitality sector’s staffing needs. Hilton’s involvement includes providing trainers and sharing industry practices to prepare participants for secure work. The programme targets women at HMP Drake Hall, offering them transferable skills such as communication and customer service.
The Government’s funding and Hilton’s partnership underscore the programme’s dual goals: addressing long-standing staff shortages in hospitality and giving prisoners a second chance. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader strategy to use education and employment as tools to reduce reoffending. By equipping participants with skills and qualifications, the programme aims to improve their employability and long-term prospects. The training restaurant operates within the prison, providing a controlled environment for practical learning and skill development.
The launch event included prominent figures such as Minister Kate Dearden and Fred Sirieix, emphasising collaboration between prisons, charities, and businesses. The programme’s success hinges on participants seizing the opportunity to gain confidence and skills, with Hilton and other employers poised to recruit trained graduates. The initiative reflects a growing recognition that talent exists in diverse places and that targeted support can unlock potential, benefiting both individuals and the economy.