Have you left Mother's Day planning to the last minute? This is your sign to host the most Spectacular High Tea for Mother's Day! We break down the three elements, styling, food and drink, allowing you to be the queen (or king) of high tea hosting. No need to worry about booking a restaurant, do it in the comfort of your own home.
STYLE
While pastels have long been associated with traditional high tea settings, modern tea parties have no limits. Once you have decided on the colour scheme or theme, choose decorations and tableware to compliment this.
Some styling ideas we recommend you have a bit of fun with are invitations, tablecloths, napkins, flowers, candles, menus, place cards, cake stands, serving plates, teacups.
Keep in mind that when it comes to setting up your table for High Tea, less is often more. Don’t overdo the centrepieces and decorations, as you need to ensure there is plenty of room to showcase your delectables. We suggest you work backwards by making a list of everything that needs to be on the table (e.g. plates, serving boards, jam and cream, etc), and using this to come up with styling pieces that equal in practicality.
Visit your local op shop for some unique cutlery, crockery, and glassware. The best part is it doesn’t have to match!
DRINK
As the name suggests, tea is non-negotiable. Set up your tea making station with an array of flavours, including English breakfast, earl grey, chai, peppermint, and chamomile. Don’t forget the milk and sugar.
If you really want to take your High Tea to the next level, our friends at Time Pour share with you their favourite cocktails to compliment.
Spiked Peach Iced Tea (Serves 5)
· 120ml Canadian Club
· 120ml Peach Schnapps
· 500ml Peach Iced Tea
· 1 Lemon, juiced
· Lemon slices for garnish
Fill a pitcher with ice, add all your liquid ingredients and stir. Add your lemon slices and stir again. Pour into a teacup and enjoy.
Peach Bellinis (Serves 5)
· One bottle of Prosecco / Sparkling Wine
· 4 Ripe Peaches
· Peach slice or your choice of garnish
Boil and peel the ripe peaches, remove their pips and slice in half. Add the halved peaches to a blender or food processor, and blend until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Put in fridge to chill for half an hour.
When you are ready to serve, pour ¼ cup of the chilled peach purée into a champagne flute. Top with prosecco and use a spoon to gently stir the mixture until well combined.
Add another splash of prosecco and garnish as desired, perhaps with a peach slice or an edible flower. Enjoy!
EAT
Your High Tea menu should consist of various sweet and savoury bites. Everything can be served cold or at room temperature, so you can easily prepare in advance.
Some classic menu items include ribboned sandwiches, devilled eggs, quiches, scones, biscuits and tea cake.
Want to avoid the kitchen altogether? Chef James Avent (aka Dinners with Jimmy), alongside a season availability guide and 30 square meters of his own garden, has curated the perfect High Tea Package to compliment your event.
Book yours today, visit: dinnerswithjimmy.com.au