Channel 4 First Dates’ Fred Sirieix opens third prison restaurant

The First Dates presenter and maitre d’hotel was speaking as his charity The Right Course opened their newest training restaurant, Bertie’s, at HMP Lincoln on Monday.

The eatery is named after the deputy governor of the B-category prison, who served there for more than 30 years.

Prisoners will serve that restaurant This is the first in the country to allow employees and customers to dine with families during visiting hours.

The Right Course opened similar branches at HMP Wormwood Scrubs in west London and HMP Isis in south London and plans to open five more this year. (Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

The Right Course opened similar branches at HMP Wormwood Scrubs in west London and HMP Isis in south London and plans to open five more this year.

Mr. Sirieix51, told guests the program aims to teach inmates the “ABC of restaurant life.”

He said: “If you’re with it JailAt some point something went wrong and we have to take responsibility and give people opportunities.

“We need to teach people how to do their job like a pro.

“Hard work will always beat talent. Enthusiasm is half the battle.”

He added: “We’re going to do everything we can to get them ready for life outside and that means these guys have to be as good as anyone else in the world.”

The program provides inmates with an opportunity to qualify

The scheme gives selected inmates a chance to earn the City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Catering and Front of House qualifications in partnership with training provider PeoplePlus.

Inmates are trained to deliver high-street standards in real-world settings, with Sirieix helping orchestrate the proceedings, while guests were served a three-course meal at Bertie’s to celebrate the introduction.

For starters, diners indulged in smoked salmon and cream cheese on bread, for mains a lasagna and split plates, and for dessert, sticky toffee pudding with ice cream.

The staff was also on hand to serve drinks.

Inmates are trained to deliver high-street standards in real-world environments (Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

Mr Sirieix said: “Today was great. It was a baptism of fire. I was a little excited but I can’t help it.”

A prisoner told the Frenchman that when he was released he wanted to open a street food truck where the restaurant would serve weekly specials like lasagna and Philly cheesesteaks.

One said: “We worked as a team, it was tough too but we made it.”

Another added, “This class has boosted my confidence and helped me speak better with people.”

Fred Sirieix came to Britain in 1992 and called for the program to be rolled out in all prisons across the country.

He added: “We have people here who are idle and doing nothing. Let’s keep them busy, but more importantly, it’s about instilling pride and a sense of contentment in people.

“You feel good, like you did a good job, and you’re excited and proud of yourself.”

Bertie’s is named after the Deputy Governor of the Category B prison, who served for more than 30 years (Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

The program aims to reduce recidivism and address staffing shortages in the hospitality industry

The initiative also hopes to both reduce inmate recidivism and address hospitality staff shortages across the country.

The Office for National Statistics has indicated that there are 132,000 vacancies in the industry this month.

Damian Hinds, the Prisons Minister, said: “Giving prisoners better chances of getting a job works – it reduces crime, saves taxpayers’ money and protects the public.”

“Our collaboration with The Right Course and Fred Sirieix helps prisoners learn skills from the best in the business that will help them find jobs upon release.”

The Justice Department said 56% of those trained and discharged from The Right Course’s “Escape” restaurant at HMP Wormwood Scrubs have now found employment.