Prue Leith, CBE
Prue Leith is a restaurateur, food writer, businesswoman and, recently, novelist. In 1960 she started a bespoke business-lunch company, which put her on the map. She followed this with Michelin-starred restaurant Leith's, which opened in 1969, before opening her own school to train professional chefs and restaurant staff in 1975. She has been a food columnist for several newspapers and published many recipe and cook books, as well as novels and a memoir. She enthusiastically supports several charities, with Focus On Food and the School Food Trust being particularly passionate causes of hers. In 1990 she received the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year award. Her latest book is The Food of Love: Laura's Story (published by Quercus).
1. What was your biggest career break?
When I employed about a dozen people we needed to get a high-profile catering contract that would advertise us as the crème de la crème! We landed the Orient Express train contract to provide lunch and teas to and from Folkestone on the Pullman train.
2. Have you had a notable mentor – and if so what was it about them that was so inspiring?
Sir Peter Parker, who was chairman of British Rail and a personal friend. He nominated me every year for 10 years for the Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the year, which I finally won in 1990. When I told him he should give up, he said "If it was a good idea ten years ago, it’s a much better idea now."
3. What one piece of advice would you give to the 20-year-old you?
Don't be in QUITE such a rush.
4. What qualities to do you look for in new recruits?
Enthusiasm, intelligence, can-do attitude.
5. Who do you admire and why?
Jamie Oliver for being a non-fancy cook with a heart, and for putting his considerable influence where it will help.
Jojo Moyes for writing so-called ‘romantic fiction’ which is everything a good book should be: engaging, moving, a pleasure to read, and excellently written.
6. What does the future of your industry look like?
Catering and cooking have a bright future with more of the public keen on good food.
Publishing and writing will be fine too. Everyone wants to read and there are plenty of good writers. But booksellers may suffer, as more books are read online.
7. If you weren't in the role you are in today, what would you have been?
Well I've been a businesswoman, cook, journalist and now novelist. If I wasn't any of those I'd have liked to be a gardener or architect, or both.
8. What is your biggest extravagance?
Travel. My air-mile tally is shameful.
9. Who would you invite to your dream dinner party and why? (you can invite three people – they must be alive)
Julian Fellows, Julian Barnes, Jojo Moyes
10. What do you do to relax away from work?
Travel, Jaunts to museums and galleries, gardening, cooking, family, reading.
11. If you could change one thing about Britain today, what would it be?
The power that processed-food manufacturers have over the nation's diet, and therefore our health, and the feebleness of politicians to resist their lobbying.
12. What would your last meal be? (please choose a starter, a main course and a pudding)
Depends what I'd had for the meal before! But I guess Oysters, Bangers and Mash, and Mango Blackcurrant jelly and custard.
