High Tea – More Than Just Tea And Cakes

Historically afternoon tea is a British food tradition of sitting down for an afternoon treat of tea, sandwiches, scones and cake. This year I have been asked to experience and promote High Tea throughout the globe. Whether it be London, Australia, let alone Thailand it is very clear that the demand for a High Tea experience is back. As each nation adopts their own trends regarding High Tea, I just want to explain my experiences and why I want to inspire many men and women to opt for an afternoon of High Tea. In 2017.

I am finding that luxury hotels are offering more than just tea and cakes.

High Tea What Does It Mean

The addition of the word “high” to the phrase “high tea” is believed to differentiate between the afternoon tea that is traditionally served on low, comfortable, parlour chairs or relaxing in the garden and the worker’s after-work high tea that is served at the table and seated on high back dining chairs. However, depending on the hotel, High Tea can be either an indoor event or outside in a  tropical garden. Regarding seating arrangements it really comes down to the specific occasion and how many people are been served. In Melbourne Australia, I was surrounded with 90 other guests therefore the setting varied.

In Chiang Mai Thailand, I was in a beautiful outdoor setting overlooking the Ping river, within a small luxury romantic boutique hotel. This was more of an intimate experience with few guests. It was a different way to soak up High Tea. In London, I had a High Tea Spa experience, which was tucked away on the lower floors under a very sophisticated chandelier.

So I do encourage anyone, to try High tea in many different locations around the globe.

I am finding that luxury hotels are offering more than just tea and cakes.

What’s Trending

I am finding that luxury hotels are offering more than just tea and cakes. For drinks, I have been offered espresso martini‘s, mocktails, champagne, ice coffee and sparkling wines. Regarding food, I have been offered mini burgers, a variety of hot dishes many different types of sandwiches. Fresh fruits, sweets and chocolate fondue are also added to High Tea. Regarding the cutlery and teapots, what is now trending is quirky cups, strange-looking plates, opposed to the traditional cup and saucers we are so used too. At the end of the day, the hotel industry is very competitive and the hospitality industry understands, that it’s in the detail that counts when it comes to High Tea and what their customers are demanding.

Chocolate fondue

Espresso Martini

How would you like your iced coffee?

Mocktail anyone?

High tea at the Intercontinental Rialto Melbourne

What To Wear

This for me is an opportunity to showcase a high-end way of dressing. It really is up to how courageous, outrageous anyone wants to be. Depending on the setting, the weather and what company one is surrounded. High Tea, is a place of looking posh, trending a vintage style and making sure a hair is not out of place. It is an opportunity to wear accessories that are as opulent as the food itself. For me, it is an event, where anyone and everyone should dress up as if attending a wedding or a VIP event. I would always choose to wear high heels, after all, I am just sitting, eating and drinking. On this occasion in Bangkok, I was wearing flats because I left all my high heels at home. As I am travelling on a luxury review tour for three months.

Country Road Australia

Choose Your Company Carefully

High Tea can vary for me regarding the company. I like to entertain business guests and friends. Depending on the venue, I look at High Tea as a relaxed environment to impress who I need to and who needs to impress me. I would also make sure that in such a public arena, I would not make it a serious event, what I mean about this is to avoid confrontational conversations at all costs.

High Tea is about pleasure, fun and light hearted moments that I call the forbidden fruits. Indulging in all kind of luxury food and drinks without feeling guilty for it.

Mental Therapy

High Tea is all about entertaining and experiencing something special. It’s about being taken away from the normality of life and soaking up the finer things in life. I have noticed when experiencing high Tea. everyone is giggling, smiling, chatting, dressing up and having plenty of fun. It’s an opportunity to delve into what I call the forbidden fruits. Meaning indulging in food that makes me feel I can eat as much as I like, even when the scales tell a completely different story.

Here are some of the images of my High Tea highlight moments so far.