The Queen's Tea - 2021

A festive celebration took place recently in the tearoom as we celebrated the occasion of the 95th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II at our annual Queen's Tea. Although the Queen's birthday is in April, the royal celebration takes place in June when the weather is better! We are happy to celebrate with her. The best china, red roses, and menus that feature pictures of the Queen grace the table. Festive bunting was hung throughout the tearoom also to complete the decor.

The first course featured a salad selected from Eating Royally, a cookbook written by Darren McGrady, personal chef to Princess Diana and chef to the royal family for 15 years. Assorted leafy greens were tossed with parmesan cheese, goat cheese, sugared pecans, and fresh pears. An olive oil dressing laden with parsley and spring onions completed the salad.

The sandwich medley featured a Herbed Cucumber Garden Party Sandwich, Buckingham Palace Rose Garden Sandwiches, Pecan Edged Chutney & Cheese Sandwich, Brie & Apple Crostini, Strawberry Basil Mascarpone Tartlet, and 1953 Coronation Chicken Salad Triangle.

Scones included Kensington Palace Scones (heart shaped) and Claridge Hotel, London Currant Scones (triangular shaped) both served with Sweet Cream and Lemon Curd alongside fresh fruit.

While the dessert course include a Coconut Pecan cake with Cream Cheese frosting, Rosemary for Remembrance Cookie, and Chocolate Biscuit Cake (the Queen's favourite). The recipe for the chocolate biscuit cake is also from the Eating Royally cookbook.

The Beefeater kept guard as we enjoyed our Afternoon Tea.