Steampunk Themed Tea

Steampunk is representative of the Victorian era, the 1800's. It is both science fiction and fantasy, and yet, it has developed into more than that to include a variety of fashions and gadgets. A thorough and comprehensive definition of this genre may be found at this Steampunk website.
We welcomed fictional authors of the series A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris to the tea room. They greeted our guests at a book signing in the gardens and also presented an entertaining program after our tea. The authors mystery novels feature secret agents with their home base centered in the heart of the Empire, London.
Tea is frequently enjoyed throughout the novels and was the perfect conclusion for a delightful afternoon.

Our Steampunk themed tea centered around those things associated with steampunk such as gears, keys, goggles, and hats. For our printed menu, we played off the style of the chapter headers in the novels. We introduced each course with a short descriptive sentence.

For the first course, Wherein our beloved hostess starts off the afternoon tea
A pasta salad with 'gears', red and green peppers and black olives was served upon a crisp lettuce leaf.

The second course: In which a lovely array of sandwiches become present
The sandwiches from the top, going clockwise: Sun Dried Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper in Phyllo Cups, Peach & Brie Crostini with Spring Onion, Savory Herb & Black Olive Rounds topped with a Gear, Goldenrod Apricot & Pimiento Finger Sandwich, and Tomato Basil Romano Cheese Sandwich.

Wherein your next course of scones and tasty sweet bread arrive                                            Traditional English Cream Scone, cream and jelly, Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread with a white chocolate key, and a medley of bananas, blueberries, strawberries with a brown sugar glaze.

 

In which the frailties and fears of mortals are tested with sweet temptations

Lastly, dessert included Chocolate Cake in the shape of a top hat and goggles and Rosemary Shortbread Gears. Please, would you like another cup of tea perhaps?

In which we give thanks to Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris of A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences for their gracious and intriguing visit with us this afternoon. Wherein we also give thanks to Angelica Brill for the clever and fun headings that introduced each course. Not to forget, Deb Beamer of Mechanicsburg Mystery Books for being such a fine book handler and promoter. And of particular importance, we give thanks to our guests that joined in the Steampunk festivities located at the heart of our empire, Mechanicsburg.