A Fragrant Program & Flavorful Afternoon Tea

Our most recent event in the tea room featured a fragrant and flavorful experience. Centerpieces for each table featured a beautiful array of petite perfume and fragrance bottles. Perched atop mirrors or silver filigree pieces, they quietly announced the program that was to be presented.

The wide variety in color and shape of the tiny fragrant bottles was fun to study and admire. The program was presented by Cheryl Harmon, and her selection of vintage and modern perfumes as centerpieces added to the enjoyment of the afternoon. Cheryl had a BS in Education and a MS in Library Science. Now retired, she volunteers her time at Mission Central. We are happy to welcome her to the tea room to share her love of all things fragrant.

Cheryl (R) and her daughter Hallie Harmon (L) share their journey to a perfumery in Grasse, France. Cheryl suggests that just as you wear different clothes for different times of the year or different occasions, your fragrance collection should also be varied according to the seasons or special event. But, ultimately, you must love the perfume you select, and feel good when wearing it.

Our event included an Afternoon Tea Party which started with a Carrot Slaw made with raisins and almonds and dressed with an oil, vinegar, and honey dressing with lots of spring onion and fresh parsley.

The sandwich selection included a Basil Pesto Pinwheel with roasted red pepper, Beef and Tomato Crostini with spring onion and parmesan cheese, an Asparagus Sandwich with egg yolk butter, a Cucumber & Radish round, and an Artichoke Chicken Salad Triangle.

There was a scone course which featured our Traditional English Cream Scone and a Lemon Pecan Scone with sweet cream and raspberries preserves alongside fresh fruit.

And the dessert medley included a White Cake topped with lemon curd, whipped cream and an edible violet, our tribute to 'l'eau de violette'., a Raspberry Almond Puff, and a White Chocolate Chunk Cookie. 

A fragrant and flavorful afternoon indeed!