Bridesmaids Tea with the Duchess of York

It is said the British invented the afternoon tea, what typically would be served at an afternoon proper tea?

The British are not alone in having a tea tradition. The ritual of afternoon tea in England began in the 19th Century, derived in part from the European tradition of afternoon tea accompanies by an assortment of small sweets, cakes and sandwiches. In time afternoon tea became an essential part of the British lifestyle.

It’s important to distinguish between low and high tea. Some think of high tea as highly formal, when in fact it is meant to be served very late in the afternoon as a hearty meal of meat and vegetables. Low tea on the other hand is the gentle afternoon tea ritual that’s primarily social and which revolves around elegant tea service and the enjoyment of an array of delicate, bite-size foods.

A proper afternoon tea would offer one or several teas served in your finest china with a variety of small yet plentiful gourmet tidbits such as finger sandwiches, tarts, cookies, meat pastries and the like. Petite scale is very important, as the foods an afternoon tea party should be kept dainty and presented beautifully using flat, pedestal and multi-tiered plates.

What serving pieces are essential to a successful tea?

• Fine bone china teapot, teacups and saucers
• Creamer and sugar in china or silver
• Dessert or sandwich plates
• Silver tea service with ample supply of very hot water
• Silver cake forks and spoons and the necessary serving pieces
• Three-tier serving dishes
• Pedestal cake plates
• A plate for thinly sliced lemon – not wedges

One word of advice on making tea: Avoid serving hot water from containers that may have been used for coffee, as the bitter taste lingers is very discernible to devout tea drinkers.

What kinds of accessories would you suggest for the table to make it festive but elegant?

For a formal tea party where the mood is understated and elegant I believe that when it comes to table decoration “less is more”. I stick to immaculate and crisp white linens, sparkling silver and certainly I use my best Wedgwood china. In fact, I sometimes take my decorative cues from the china’s pattern. As a wedding gift I received a Wedgwood tea service in the Crown Sapphire pattern which is deep cobalt blue on bright white with a delicate gold trim. In setting my tea table I sometimes use fine white napkins trimmed in blue or gold. I also have Wedgewood’s India tea service, which has a delicate ivy border, and I might echo that motif by decoratively draping ivy strands along my tabletop.

If I want to add touches of color I might use contrasting napkins folded simply. (Avoid fancy folds that can look like over-sized origami!) The tea table should adhere to high standards but do not make it the centerpiece of the party, because afternoon tea is meant to be intimate, not spectacular. Keep floral arrangements low, delicate and simple, and I would certainly avoid strongly perfumed flowers. Instead of tall candles I might prefer to set out small votives whose subtle flickering add sparkle and a warm glow to the table.

The foods of afternoon tea add such beauty to the occasion when they are presented well, with plates or tiered etageres brimming with little sweet and savory sandwiches, scones and clotted cream, and pastries and cakes. A glorious food and tea tables are sure to be the visual and social hub at an afternoon tea.

You can take more creative license in decorating your tables for a smaller and more casual afternoon tea. One idea that I like is to set a round table that the room’s center and create a centerpiece by stacking potted flowers and plants to create an impressive (but secure) tower. I’d place my tea service along one side and my food service along the other. This arrangement creates a gentle setting that’s perfect for mingling among guests.

If you were doing a bridesmaids tea for your close friends what would it consist of and how would you present it?

If you have a large number of invited guests, you might need two tables; one for the food and one for serving the tea. If you are using tea bags you will want to present them in an elegant basket or tea chest. For loose tea be certain to have the necessary serving vessels and strainers. For a formal tea you’ll want to bring out (or if need be perhaps borrow) the very best china teapot and teacups you can, and have on hand shiny silver teapots for hot water, plus fine plates and serving stands, and quality linens.

For the food table, create a simple and understated centerpiece of either fresh flowers or arrange small florals around a three-tiered cake stand filled with small tea sandwiches and desserts positioned in the middle of the table. The food should be attractively presented on china or silver platters

What are some traditional foods used in a high tea? What types of tea are most popular?

Delicate finger sandwiches such as egg mayonnaise, smoked salmon, cucumber and olives with cream cheese, ham and pear, watercress. Also, Small meat pastries; Fruit tartlets; Assortment of cookies; Scones with Devonshire cream and jam; Petit fours; Tiny cakes; Seasonal fruits and a bowl of fresh strawberries.

There are now many wonderful tea varieties that you might consider serving at a tea party such as Earl Grey, Assam, Ceylon, Darjeeling, Keemun, or Lapsang Souchong. In England we would brew loose tea but in America it is fine to offer an assortment of tea bags.

When the bridesmaids tea is over what gifts would you present to your bridesmaids?

I would select a different gift for each. I’d select items that are very personal and perhaps uniquely symbolic of our friendship. I think it’s loveliest when such gifts are sentimental if not even a bit unusual

Like yourself, most women work after marriage and even after having children, as this pace is a bit hectic what would you say is the formula for juggling career and family?

I am constantly juggling motherhood, career and my many charity commitments and in truth it is never easy. I am passionate about everything I do but there is no question that my girls come first. I am very firm about structuring my calendar well enough in advance so within reason I am able to give everyone what they need from me. I will move mountains when necessary but that said I do not break standing commitments easily. (I’ve been known to fly home to England while working in America to attend an important family celebration or school event only to return to work the next day.) It’s a rule that I spent most weekends and all school breaks with my girls, and as a result we spend a great deal of quality time together.

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