A Themed Tea - Shakespeare!

During her senior year of high school, Angelica had dual enrollment in both high school and the local community college. It's a perfect way to experience college expectations, and to get a few college credits under your belt. Her first course, in the fall, was a class on Shakespeare. When we asked her if she would do a presentation in the tea room, she was quick to respond affirmatively. What fun to welcome her as a speaker!

Shakespeare frequently includes herbs and flowers in his plays, and the menu for this event was centered around that theme.
Setting the Scene

Guests were offered a cup of Shakespeare Tea, a delicious blend of fragrant herbs, full of flavor developed by Bertha Reppert. Lavender, mint, savory and marjoram combined in just the right amounts to transport you to Elizabethan times.

Act 1, Scene 1 – First Course, Soup

“The strawberry grows underneath the nettle; And wholesome berries thrive and ripen best, Neighbour'd by fruit of baser quality.” King Henry V. Act I. Scene 1.

Chilled Strawberry Soup

Act 1, Scene 2 – Second Course, Sandwiches

“There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember: and there is pansies. that's for thoughts.” Hamlet (4.5.170-1)

Apple Rosemary Chicken Salad

“I think the king is but a man, as I am: the violet smells to him as it doth to me: the element shows to him as it doth to me.” Henry V (4.1.155-7)

Petite Violet Sandwich with Mascarpone Cheese and Violet Jelly

“What's in a name? that which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet.”  Romeo and Juliet (2.2.45-7)

Cucumber, Radish and French Style Cheese Rose on Pumpernickel Round

“ Me thinks sometimes I have no more wit than a Christian or an ordinary man has: but I am a great eater of beef and I believe that does harm to my wit.” Henry IV, Part 1: Act 2, Scene

Roast Beef and Provolone on Puff Pastry with Pepper Mayonnaise

“I would give all my fame for a pot of ale.” As You Like It: Act 3, Scene 2

Swiss Cheese, Spring Onion and Bacon Melt atop Beer Bread

                                                                                     Act 2, Scene 1 – Third Course, Scones

“And, most dear actors, eat no onions nor garlic, For we are to utter sweet breath.” A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Act 4, Scene 2)

Sweet English Cream Scones

“He’s the colour of the nutmeg” King Henry V

Cinnamon Chip Nutmeg Scones

Act 2, Scene 2 – Fourth Course, Fruit and Toppings

“I saw good strawberries in your garden there I do beseech you send for some of them.” Richard III (Act 3, Scene 4)

Act 3, Scene 1 – Fifth Course, Dessert

“Here's flowers for you; hot lavender, mints, savory, marjoram;

The marigold that goes to bed wi' the sun, and with him rise weeping." The Winter's Tale, Act 4, Sc.4

Chocolate Mint Cake

Buttery Lavender Cookies

Edible Flowers garnish the plate

The program followed afternoon tea. Poised, and well prepared, Angelica was thrilled to share her love of the Bard. According to the speaker, the only disappointment was that the tea room menu did not include eye of newt.



Linking to, and celebrating  "Tea in the Garden" with Bernideen.