As we celebrate National Afternoon Tea Week here in the UK, we find ourselves once again debating the age-old question surrounding the great British scone: what goes first, the jam or the cream? While we’re still undecided on that front, one thing we know for sure at Firmdale Hotels is how to create the perfect afternoon tea—with a twist, of course. Join us on the blog as we combine two of our favourite things, creativity and food, and share our Dos and Don’ts for crafting an indulgent and artistic afternoon tea.
Before we begin, we thought we would indulge you in a little history of this British past time. Supposedly, during the Victorian age, ‘tea receptions’ became fashionable amongst the gentry who would often find themselves hungry for a light bite of small delicate sandwiches, scones, cakes and pastries at around 4pm. And so afternoon tea became the perfect daily ritual to quell hunger before dinner and an ideal opportunity to socialise without the formality of a dinner table.
Do Make Your Afternoon Tea a Visual Delight
As visual creatures, we know that beauty enhances the overall dining experience—there’s even evidence that attractive presentation can make food taste better. To elevate your afternoon tea, consider colourful icing or adornments like edible flowers. These touches go the extra mile in making your assortment not just delicious, but visually stunning.
Do Use Layers
In design, layering adds depth and keeps things interesting, and the same applies to your afternoon tea. A tall cake stand not only creates a grand visual effect but also offers the opportunity to stagger your treats, making more room for indulgence. Complement the scene with elegant crockery and flowers to turn your table into an unforgettable artistic display. You can even bring the look home with our Tall Trees Tea Set.
Don’t Forget to Experiment
Our pastry chefs are always innovating, crafting extraordinary delights for our diners. Experimentation in the kitchen adds a sense of fun to your tea, and unexpected pairings—like blackberry and lavender macarons—can create a delightful surprise. That said, don’t overlook classic elements like cucumber finger sandwiches, which bring a nostalgic touch to the table.
Do Let Your Creativity Run Wild
Take your experimentation further by creating themed pastries and cakes. Themed treats add an element of surprise and elevate your afternoon tea to a whole new level of creativity.
Do Use Your Finest China
Afternoon tea is a special occasion, the perfect excuse to dine like royalty. Using traditional, matching china adds elegance and sophistication to the experience, making it feel even more celebratory.
Don’t Hold Back
Whether it’s a special occasion or just because, afternoon tea should be a joyful and indulgent experience. Go all out—decorate your table lavishly, pile your scones high with velvety clotted cream, and don’t forget to enjoy a glass of Champagne.
We hope we’ve tantalised your taste buds and inspired you to create your own Firmdale-inspired Afternoon Tea. If you’d rather leave it to us, join us at any of our hotels in London and New York for a mini celebration of craft and indulgence. As an extra treat for Afternoon Tea week, this August we are extending a special offer, a Full Tea Set for 4 at a reduced price of £835. Discover more details here.