Hilton Partners with Only A Pavement Away to Launch Nationwide ‘OpportuniTEA’ Afternoon Tea Menu

LONDON – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has launched a new afternoon tea menu in partnership with Only A Pavement Away, the national charity that supports people facing homelessness and prison leavers to rebuild their lives through employment opportunities in hospitality.

The new ‘OpportuniTEA’ menu was created in collaboration with women at HMP Bronzefield through a bake-off style competition, aimed at inspiring them to build valuable skills and increase their chances of gaining meaningful employment upon release. The competition forms part of a year-long series of masterclasses and workshops hosted by Hilton.

The menu features a spiced aubergine and tomato tartlet, identified as the winning entry in the competition which saw 15 women from HMP Bronzefield put their creativity to the test in a series of culinary challenges.

The masterclass series also included a pastry demonstration and chocolate masterclass led by Hilton chefs, as well as roundtable discussions with Hilton HR teams about professional development opportunities.

Stephen Cassidy, senior vice president, UK & Ireland, Hilton, said, “The hospitality industry is full of opportunity for people who want to secure meaningful employment and build a fulfilling career. Everyone has something positive to bring to the workplace – and we believe in creating employment opportunities for all. Partnering with organisations such as Only A Pavement Away to deliver initiatives like this is crucial – giving individuals a much-needed second chance to build the skills and confidence they need to take the next step in their journey.”

Commenting on their experience, the competition winner said, “The competition reminded me of my passion for cooking and helped me gain confidence in my culinary skills. Having the opportunity to learn and grow meant a lot as it gives me a greater chance at employment opportunities and makes me feel hopeful about my future.”

Greg Mangham, founder & CEO, Only A Pavement Away, said, “Our purpose is to provide much-needed opportunities for individuals to gain the skills and confidence they need to build a fulfilling career in hospitality. We are hugely grateful to Hilton and our other hospitality partners for their efforts to equip these individuals with tangible skills and experience to support their career and next steps in life.”

Only A Pavement Away acts as a vital bridge between forward thinking employers in the hospitality industry and charity referral partners to place people in employment. Hilton’s partnership with the organisation began in 2022 and involves supporting the Passport 2 Employment learning and development programme, which helps members gain insight, skills and employability training, as well as providing hands-on practical experience through trial shifts. The programme also includes customer service skills training, mentoring circles focusing on employability skills and career chats.

The charity has also been awarded grants from the Hilton Global Foundation, Hilton’s philanthropic arm, as part of its efforts to support more resilient communities. This year Hilton was also recognised as a Top Employer by Only A Pavement Away as part of its continued commitment to support the organisation’s members and create a transformative difference.

The initiative also aligns with the work being done by Sodexo, which operates HMP Bronzefield and five other UK prisons, to support offenders in building purposeful futures upon their release. Sodexo has over 30 years of experience managing prisons on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and Scottish Prison Service.

Charlotte Wilson, director, HMP Bronzefield, said, “Collaborations like this have a lasting impact on the women in our prison. Working with Hilton and Only A Pavement Away not only gives them new skills, but also builds their confidence and shows them what’s possible beyond prison. It’s inspiring to see their talent and potential recognised in such a meaningful way.”

In addition to the winning dish, the new afternoon tea menu features an indulgent selection of sweet and savoury creations, including truffle egg mayo brioche and smoked salmon rosti with dill cream cheese, as well as a pina colada cake and rich chocolate brownie with sea salt. Available for at least 12 months, the afternoon tea is on offer at 20 Hilton hotels across the UK, including Hilton York, DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole and Hilton Cambridge City Centre. Guests can book the afternoon tea by contacting participating hotels directly. A £4 donation from each afternoon tea sold will go to Only A Pavement Away.

The initiative is part of Hilton’s Travel with Purpose strategy and 2030 goal to create five million cumulative learning and career growth opportunities for team members and community members.

Note to Editors:

*Participating hotels: Hilton Cambridge City Centre; Hilton London Canary Wharf; Hilton Cobham; Hilton London Croydon; Hilton East Midlands Airport; Hilton London Kensington; Hilton Leeds City; Hilton Newcastle Gateshead; Hilton Northampton; Hilton Nottingham; Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel & Golf Club, Tewkesbury; Hilton London Watford; Hilton York; DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole; DoubleTree by Hilton London – Docklands Riverside; Hilton London Euston; Hilton Liverpool City Centre; Hilton London Olympia; Hilton at St. George’s Park, Burton upon Trent; Hilton London Wembley.