Prue Leith Reflects on a Lifetime of Culinary and Broadcasting Success
Prue Leith, the celebrated restaurateur, chef, broadcaster, and writer, offers a candid look back at her multifaceted career and personal philosophy. Born in Cape Town in 1940, Leith has built an impressive legacy that includes a Michelin-starred restaurant, Leiths, and the founding of Leiths School of Food and Wine in 1975. With over 16 cookery books, eight novels, and a memoir to her name, her influence spans decades.
From School Challenges to Business Triumphs
Leith admits she was "pretty useless at school", recalling a humorous incident where her mother defended her against a nun's complaints, only for Leith to slam a door and shatter a picture of the Virgin Mary. Despite this rocky start, her parents' unwavering support instilled a profound self-confidence. "They believed in me and thought I could do anything," she says, attributing her success to their encouragement and her own "lack of imagination" about failure.
Her entrepreneurial spirit led to ventures like winning Businesswoman of the Year, an award she received after a decade of nominations, partly due to her debt-free approach. "I never spent money," she laughs, noting how her chefs would plead for new equipment only to be told, "When we can afford it, we will!"
Navigating Television and Sexism
Leith's television career began in the 1970s but was initially marred by a controlling director who insisted on scripted interviews, leading her to avoid TV for 30 years. She returned as a judge on Great British Menu for 11 years, followed by nine years on The Great British Bake Off. The latter brought unexpected celebrity, with fans stopping her for selfies—a attention she "rather enjoyed" as a self-proclaimed showoff.
As a businesswoman in male-dominated eras, Leith faced subtle sexism, such as on the British Railways board where men would stand up every time she entered or exited a room. She promptly told them, "You have to treat me like a chap." Yet, she notes that working independently often shielded her from the prejudices many women faced in corporate settings.
Life Beyond Bake Off and Embracing Age
Now 86, Leith is not retiring but shifting focus. She has stepped back from Bake Off and summer work to enjoy European holidays and time in her new home and garden. Reflecting on her successor, Nigella Lawson, she states, "I don't think I will feel any sense of yearning when I see Nigella in that position," emphasizing the joy she found in the show but her readiness to move on.
Her new book, Being Old and Learning to Love It, underscores her positive outlook. Leith remains prolific, writing constantly and attributing her energy to happiness. "It's hard, maybe impossible, to be this upbeat and productive if you are unhappy," she concludes, embodying a life lived with passion and resilience.
