Prue Leith CBE, revered in the culinary world for decades, and now a beloved judge of The Great British Bake Off, has recently released her first cookery book in 25 years, and will also be continuing to please her millions of fans with a range of licensed items, kicking off with calendar and diary products from Portico Designs and confectionery from House of Sarunds.
Not only will the Portico Designs’ stand at Spring Fair (Feb 3-7, NEC, Hall 6-7 Stand J60-K61) feature the brand new capsule collection of Prue calendars and diaries, but Prue herself will be there in person on Tuesday February 5 (at around 10.45am) to bring her own enthusiastic character to the launch.
“There is no denying the popularity and strong following that Prue Leith has built up over the years,” says Charlie Czul, sales director of Portico Designs. “The wonderful recipes and illustrations from the recently published Prue cookery book were perfect to be translated onto calendars and diaries.”
Playing a pivotal role in the whole licensing programme has been industry stalwart Riou Baxter, who together with his business partner Mike Broad, runs Why Management. Riou told GiftandHome.net: “Prue’s husband and I have a close mutual friend. We all agreed that given her huge popularity and standing that it was strange that she did not have a licensing programme. I therefore offered to look after the licensing in the product areas that I know a bit about.” (This year will be Riou’s 41st Spring Fair!).
The House of Sarunds confectionery collection will echo the similar look and feel to the four inaugural products from Portico Designs.
Riou anticipates Prue’s licensing programme expanding to encompass 10-12 licensees, ranging from giftware to kitchenware and greeting cards to eyewear.
The inspiration behind the licensing development was the publication of the Prue cookery book, Prue Leith’s first for a quarter of a century, which draws on her lifelong passion for food, with 100 recipes from her own kitchen table.
“I have cooked and been around food every day for most of my life, and there are almost too many recipes to choose from, which is the reason why there is no theme to the book,” explains Prue. “It is quite simply a delicious romp through my recipe folder with a few stories along the way,” she added.
Top: Prue Leith CBE, is launching her own range of licensed products, with Portico launching two calendars and two diaries in its Prue Leith collection at Spring Fair. They will include recipes and illustrations from Prue’s recent cookery book.
