Prue Leith: From Michelin-Starred Restaurateur to Bake Off Icon
London, 13 January 2026 – Dame Prue Leith, the vibrant and outspoken judge of The Great British Bake Off, remains a cornerstone of British television and culinary culture. Born in South Africa and now a dual citizen, Leith has built a remarkable career spanning restaurants, cookbooks, novels, and philanthropy, all while maintaining her signature colourful style and sharp wit.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Prudence Margaret Leith was born on 18 February 1940 in Cape Town, South Africa. She moved to London in 1960 to study at the Cordon Bleu Cookery School, where she discovered her passion for food. By 1969, she had opened Leith’s, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Notting Hill, which she sold in 1995. In 1975, she founded Leith’s School of Food and Wine, a renowned institution for training chefs and home cooks, achieving a turnover of £15 million by 1993.
Leith’s entrepreneurial spirit extended to British Rail, where she became the first woman appointed to the board in 1980, improving catering services. She has authored over a dozen cookbooks, including the seminal Leith’s Cookery Bible, and eight novels, with her Angelotti Chronicles trilogy exploring family sagas intertwined with food.
Television Stardom and The Great British Bake Off
Leith’s television career began in the 1970s, though she found early experiences challenging. She returned to screens as a judge on Great British Menu for 11 years until 2016. In 2017, she replaced Dame Mary Berry on The Great British Bake Off when the show moved to Channel 4, judging alongside Paul Hollywood. Despite stepping back from the celebrity specials in 2025—citing the intense filming schedule—she continues on the main series, praising the show’s evolution and her co-hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.
In 2025, Leith participated in the sixth series of The Masked Singer as “Pegasus”, eliminated in the second episode. She also hosted Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen on ITV1, with a second series commissioned in September 2024.
Key Facts and Achievements
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth and Nationality | Born 18 February 1940 in Cape Town, South Africa; dual South African-British citizenship. |
| Career Highlights | Michelin-starred restaurant owner; founder of Leith’s School of Food and Wine; British Rail board member; author of 12 cookbooks and 8 novels. |
| Television Roles | Judge on Great British Menu (2005-2016); judge on The Great British Bake Off (2017-present); host of Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen (2024-present). |
| Honours | OBE (1989), CBE (2010), DBE (2021); Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year (1990); 13 honorary degrees. |
| Philanthropy | Patron of Dignity in Dying; campaigns for assisted dying; involved in food education charities like Focus on Food. |
Recent Projects and Advocacy
In 2024, Leith released her cookbook Life’s Too Short to Stuff a Mushroom, featuring fuss-free recipes with QR codes for video tutorials. She advocates for assisted dying, having campaigned since her brother David’s death from bone cancer in 2012. Politically, she supported Brexit but now expresses concerns over food standards. At 85, she remains active, walking London Fashion Week catwalks and emphasising the importance of colour in ageing.
Personal Life
Leith was married to Rayne Kruger from 1974 until his death in 2002; they had two children, Danny (a Reform UK MP) and Li-Da (a filmmaker). In 2016, she married John Playfair, living in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire. She values sleep and exercise, crediting them for her energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prue Leith leaving The Great British Bake Off?
No, she has only stepped back from the celebrity specials due to filming commitments but remains on the main series, expressing enjoyment in the role.
What is Prue Leith’s latest cookbook?
Life’s Too Short to Stuff a Mushroom (2024), offering simple, wholesome recipes with time-saving hacks.
Has Prue Leith won any awards?
She has received numerous honours, including Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2021 for services to food, broadcasting, and charity.