Well Afternoon Tea number 13 has come and gone, a Very British theme. This was based around British dishes across the county and set on the backdrop of Westminster/Big Ben. I am a Londoner so their was many London references with the Teapots etc. I have not seen many solely British themed ones, often having French or other dishes included in the Menu.

As well as entertaining you all with treats, i also dug into the background of some of the dishes and how Afternoon Tea came to be, with many coining it a quint essentially British affair. Inspiration come from dishes i know and eat and others further away, their were so many to choose from. A 2nd one is inevitable to include others dishes not on this one. Being an East Londoner i included some music Hall music and proper Cockney tunes.

TEAWARE

It began with the coolest Big Ben Teapot i got from Ebay about 1 year ago. I then was lucky to find at the 02 Cath kidston Outlet a London print Teapot and matching side plates and Dinner plates all cheap. I paid £28 for the whole set 4 big plates, 4 small plates and 1 large teapot. The teapot alone was £28 originally i paid £8. This was lucky and funnily enough i did the Tea 1 year later on the same date without realising it. I got a London Phonebox Teapot and a Post box Teapot. Cups i kept plain white.

The set from Cath Kidston

Live video as it happened

THE FOOD & DRINK

Selecting and whittling down dishes to all fit a Afternoon Menu is not simple, but think i found a good balance. Still plenty of other dishes left to recreate another Tea with the continued theme.

For the Drinks i chose Tea, Assam, Plain loose leaf and Piccadilly blend.

I made the Tea far to strong with the plain Tea so use less next time. The Piccadilly blend from Whittard i got also at the outlet store. This had Rose, Cornflowers and a similar flavour profile to Earl Grey.

For Sandwiches i made more than ever before of varieties ( but they was all eaten) on my new stand i dub ” The Sandwich stand” The Bread was homemade albeit a box mix.

  • Beef + Wasabi
  • Ham
  • Coronation Chicken
  • Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese
  • Cheese & Pickle

For the long list of Sweet treats i made, as well as a few shop brought shortcuts

  • Mini Strawberry Trifles
    • Mini Colin Caterpillars ( bought the mini rolls made the Chocolate faces in my Lakeland Caterpillar mould set )
    • Eccles Cake ( via Morrisons)
    • Manchester Tart ( A custard based Coconut topped Tart with a Cherry on top.
    • Cornflake Tarts
    • Mini Victoria Sponge Cakes with homemade Jam & Buttercream
    • Scones Clotted Cream Strawberry Jam
    • Tottenham Cake squares ( Sponge square covered with thick Pink Icing)
    • London Cheesecakes ( Puff pastry Square filled with Raspberry Jam and Icing on top with Shaved sweetened Coconut )
    • I attempted to make a Gypsy Tart but it did not set, blames recipe with bad reviews

When it come time to make these it was warm out and was hot in the Kitchen, i had some issues with my Pastry cases for the Tarts. The Jelly did not want to set for the Trifles so had to add some extra Gelatin. The London Cheesecakes split open during cooking, nothing major but ahhhhh ughhh.

I have never had Manchester Tart or Cornflake Tart or Tottenham Cake, so was interesting to try them out for the 1st time. Their was leftovers which made it`s way into meals afterwards and still some treats left as of today!

Usually i would take these into work, but i am off on holiday this week.

SETTING THE SCENE

Looking back at my 1st few Teas when i had no Backdrops and the Table was not pulled out, the scene setting has definitely ramped up 100%. I got a great Backdrop from Aliexpress and they are so colourful and bright. I naturally Chose Big Ben & Westminster.The backdrops set the scene and also provide lots of opportunity for some photo moments like these below.

Add some inflatable Crowns, Union Jack attire and wigs, and hey presto

LESSONS

  • Use less Loose Leaf Tea in the Teapot, i used too much and made it like Brandy hahah and it stained the Tablecloth
  • Chill the Cornflake Tarts before cutting, the one i tried to cut was just falling apart in the Heat
  • Make the Scones smaller and taller

Their is still room left to come back to the theme with different dishes and a little finessing.