How To Celebrate National Afternoon Tea Week

How To Celebrate National Afternoon Tea Week At Home. Hello friends, so how are you today? To celebrate National Afternoon Tea Week (12th – 18th August 2019). Simon Bradley, Head Chef at De Vere Cotswold Water Park. A stunning hotel situated amongst the rolling hills of the Cotswolds and surrounded by 152 lakes. It has shared his top tips on how to enjoy the traditional British pastime at home. 

How To Celebrate National Afternoon Tea Week At Home:

Firstly, The Perfect Blend. Without a doubt, the most important element of afternoon tea is the tea itself. A traditional English Breakfast blend is a firm favourite with guests at De Vere Cotswold Water Park. However, you could tempt your guests with something a little more usual such as a power green tea, for the ultimate detox, filled with antioxidants and nutrients. Or for the more daring, try a chilli chai tea for that fiery kick. On warmer days, try brewing an iced tea using your favourite tea and add slices of citrus fruits for a refreshing twist. 

Secondly, Be Experimental. Sandwiches and scones are the staples of a classic afternoon tea. However, you may choose to serve something a little different to cater to everyone’s taste and dietary requirements. Try experimenting with the fillings in your sandwiches and the flavours of your cakes, for example, you could serve Earl Grey-infused tea cakes, sweet scones with lemon curd, savoury scones with cheddar cheese and chorizo or basil macarons.

 

Thirdly, Food For Thought. Although you may be excited to serve your latest flavoursome concoction, make sure that you keep some of those classic ‘crowd pleasers’ on the menu, namely; egg mayonnaise sandwiches; cucumber with cream cheese and smoked salmon sandwiches; macarons; Battenberg; and éclairs. Make sure everyone in the group is catered for. Also, provide more savoury foods such as scotch eggs, quiche and sausage rolls, accompanied with drinks for the non-tea drinkers such as a superfood smoothie for the ultimate health kick. Dietary requirements now play a huge part in people’s lives with nearly ¼ of the UK now eating a plant-based diet. Include items on your cake stand such as vegan macarons or cakes/ brownies that have been made with avocado as the substitute.

 

Fourthly, Be Prepared:

It is hard work being the host and the chef, especially if help is limited, so keep things simple to ensure a stress-free day by preparing as much as you can before your guests arrive. It’s true that nothing beats a warm scone with lashings of fresh strawberry jam and clotted cream, but you can bake them in advance and then warm them in the oven before serving.

 

Fifthly, Provide A Grown-up Treat. Our Champagne Afternoon Tea package is extremely popular with guests being served a glass of Lanson Champagne alongside their tea. Or English sparkling wine provides the perfect alternative to complement your afternoon tea. Pair your afternoon tea with local sparkling wine, Blanc de Blancs from Cotswold vineyard Woodchester Valley, an elegant English sparkling wine with aromas of baked apple, citrus and biscuit. For an added twist, why not serve your favourite tipple with a splash of elderflower or raspberry liqueur.

Sixth, Get Creative. Everyone loves a scone and a finger sandwich but if you want to stand out from the crowd, you need to get creative. How about adding a theme? Or even an American twist on a traditional British afternoon tea can be fun and something different. Ditch the macarons and enjoy mini doughnuts.

Seventh, Set The Scene. Afternoon tea isn’t just about delicious sandwiches and cakes, it’s about the whole dining experience from décor to vintage crockery. Rummage in the back of your cupboards and dust off your best cake stands, finest china tea set and polish your silver teapot. Why not also head to the garden and pick some fresh flowers for a centrepiece, place tea cosies on the table, hang bunting around the room and perhaps create your own personalised menus to wow your guests?

Eighth, Location, Location, Location:

Make the most of the British summertime and take your tea outside. For the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind, explore the great outdoors and bring your afternoon tea with you on a picnic. Or dine al fresco with an afternoon tea set up in your garden so you’re never too far away from your next fresh pot of tea.

How To Celebrate National Afternoon Tea Week At Home. Or just relax and let the experts do the work. If this all sounds wonderful but too much of a headache. Why not put your feet up and leave it to the experts? Whether you’re with friends or taking a moment for yourself, De Vere Cotswold Water Park serves traditional afternoon tea with savoury dishes, including leek & chive tartlet and salt beef and fresh horseradish bonbons, plus traditional plain and sultana scones with a selection of sweet treats.

Guests can indulge in afternoon tea in The Lounge or bask in the sun on the outdoor terrace. Enjoy the lakeside views at The Old Boathouse Restaurant & Bar. Afternoon Tea is served daily, from 2pm to 5pm. Also, it is priced from £19.95 per person. This is a guest post. 

Some Afternoon Tea Recipes You Might Like:

Firstly, A Twist On A Classic - Caribbean Afternoon Tea. We had a mini heatwave here in the UK yesterday. I spent all afternoon in the garden yesterday, getting the grass cut and table and chairs out of storage. All ready for eating outside in the garden. New research revealed today has found that Caribbean cooking is the least tried cuisine in the UK,. With only 27% of Brits having tasted Jamaican food and only a handful have tried dishes from other islands including Dominica (3%), Barbados (2.5%) and St Lucia (2%). A Twist On A Classic - Caribbean Afternoon Tea. So much fun. 

Secondly, Salcombe Gin Launches Mediterranean Inspired Gin 'Rosé Sainte Marie' for Summer 2019. Are you a gin lover? Looking for a gin recipe for Afternoon Tea? #AfternoonTeaWeek. Adventurous and luxurious Salcombe Gin, which embraces life on and around the water, is releasing 'Rosé Sainte Marie'. A new Mediterranean inspired gin. Available from early July, this exceptional dry rosé gin is being positioned alongside its flagship multi award-winning London Dry Gin 'Start Point'. Salcombe Gin Launches Mediterranean Inspired Gin 'Rosé Sainte Marie' for Summer 2019. So good. 

BerryWorld Fruity Meringues. Thirdly, these classic meringues are topped with cool whipped cream and your choice of berries, they make a delicious pudding or afternoon treat. How To Make BerryWorld Fruity Meringues. So yummy. 

How To Celebrate National Afternoon Tea Week:

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