Afternoon Tea for Two or Party
Afternoon tea is a British tradition that has been served at five start hotels and high end restaurants for many years. It is also a fun way to celebrate special occasions like bridal shower, anniversary or kids birthday. It is like a full buffet service but served as finger food size.
The proper Afternoon tea menu:
- Small finger sandwiches
- Savory tea hors d’oeuvre
- Scones with devonshire cream and jam.
- Assortment of tea fancies and shortbread cookies
- Tea of choice
Examples of finger Sandwiches:
You always want to offer something for everyone. Fish, meet and vegetarian. Offer dairy and gluten free as well. Offer sandwich like cucumber, smoked salmon, brie, egg, tuna. Get creative and make sure the cut them small. Here are some ideas for you.
Scones are served with Devonshire cream and jam. You can offer more than one flavor of jam. This link is to my favorite devonshire cream
Some of your guest may have allergies so don’t forget to label all food and list any dairy or gluten free items. Setup guest tables with linen and add decor. Either setup silverware on the guest table or display them in a basket. I used pepper basket
When it comes to table design you need to make sure you have a section for savory sandwiches, a section for scones, section for dessert and a section for tea service. You also want to decorate guest tables and the buffet.
Setup your buffet on a round table if possible. Start your buffet with plates then savory food, then dessert. Add flowers and decor to your table. Elevate food at the center of the table so everyone can reach it. Do not forget to add serving tongs. Use salad plates or bread and butter plates. Display tea at a separate table
For your tea table you want to make sure you have many flavors and some are must have. Make sure to offer caffeine free tea as well as caffeinated. I would offer the following flavors.
- English Breakfast
- Darjeeling tea
- Green tea
- Rose tea which you can get from you garden and dry.
- Orange tea if yo save orange peel and dry them you can serve them at your party.
- Earl Gray Tea.
- Sage Tea
- Mint Tea
Mix and match your tea cups and pots. Offer tea strainers if you are serving loose tea.
Links to Three Tier Stand
- Amazon caries Candora Cake Stand www.amazon.com
- Pottery Barn carries a very nice while Leila Three Tiered Stand www.potterybarn.com
- Macy’s carries a very nice Godinger Dublin 3-Tier Server www.macys.com
Setup all beverage on a separate table.
First section setup tea cups, small pots, hot water, sugar, cream, lemon slices, coffee stir, trash basket, paper napkin in that order. For water service setup water glasses then plain water then infused water. then napkin. In that order.
Don’t forget to offer water at each setting or at the buffet. Try infused water with cucumber or melon. Mint water is always a good one. For sure plain water because not everyone likes their water with flavor.
Romantic Afternoon Tea For Two:
Afternoon tea setup is also perfect for afternoon celebration for two with a glass of champagne, or a weekend romantic breakfast.
Remember to display food in a shaded area and if you are celebrating a special event offer party favors… tea bags would be a fun way to thank your guest.
Afternoon Tea for Two or Party