Dilmah Real High Tea- Lorriane Elliot-Part 2

Creating Afternoon or High Tea menus takes a little bit of work...... the end results are rewarding.  I had annual international tea at my home for close to a decade.  Summer International Bible Conference. An average of forty woman would come from Russia, Argentina, Holland, Zambia, Kenya, Czech Republic, Canada, Romania, South Africa, Australia, Great Brittan, India, Philippines, Mexico,  and national ladies. A different set would come every year.  

Naomi, my daughter,  at a friends afternoon tea.

   Planning the menu with the younger ladies and my faithful friends was my first step.  Dear friends every year would bring their chocolate covered strawberries, another scones, Madeleines, home made soup (yes, a soup with Southwestern flair, it was the favorite always), frittata, cheese and melba toast, oriental salad, tarts and those that lived in my hometown brought their love offerings of tasty, tasty morsels. I would spend all night making the tea sandwiches. I would choose 3 sandwiches and the fourth was open game.  The classic cucumber sandwich, curry egg sandwich, cranberry chicken salad with walnuts sandwich, and  the fourth would be the hardest one to decide.  Salmon, smoked oysters, gougeres and guilty of at the last second going through my cupboards and refrigerator and creating who knows what and pull it off successfully.  Following with the small details of lemon curd, jam and clotted cream, sparkling lemonade, chocolates, printed recipes and a tea gift to bring home.

Then the fun part and the easiest, is pulling out my china for presentation. The tiered and  cake plates, champagne flutes for the lemonade, tea cups and saucers, bowls, dessert plates, dinner plates, utensils, pressed napkins, tablecloths all done in the same night. Through the whole night I would have to drink Dilmah Tea.  An English Breakfast when I would begin to wane.  I would be alert again and  would be able to methodically finish thoroughly.  My last 2 annual Afternoon Teas were accompanied with Dilmah Teas.  Ceylon Supreme, Rose with French Vanilla, Earl Grey, Natural Green Tea with Lemongrass  and English Breakfast. Each teapot sat on a teapot warmer with a porcelain plate with the given tea. When the teapots were in place I could rest.

 I love working with young girls to teach them to be attentive to the guests needs, to serve properly, how to make a perfect pot of tea, to be responsible to bring something to the table and at their age I would expect them to keep their word if they were to offer their hospitality at the Afternoon Tea.  The most gratifying thing for me to see.  Is to see the younger girls and ladies having conversations with the older ladies listening to their stories of living over seas or mingling with the ladies visiting from represented countries.  I knew the Afternoon Tea was successful when all the ladies and myself were able to work together harmoniously that I was able to sit down myself and enjoy my cup of Dilmah Tea.  The tea would do its magic. I would recollect, relax and I was able to give my complete attention to whom I was speaking with.  I can almost feel its magic moment now; tea and conversation.  To many of these ladies that came to my home it was a highlight and they looked forward to the next Afternoon Tea.  

To serve tea in my home, you may walk in as a stranger but you will leave as a friend.

Lorraine Elliot on her 2nd Episode of Dilmah Real High Tea that will cover Tea Menus.  Remember to steep your Dilmah Tea before you begin your video and do not forget to go to the side bar and pause the Music Play list.                  

I hope this inspires your desire to open your home to serve and prepare an Afternoon or High Tea .  Nothing to be afraid of amongst friends to have it to be perfect.  Begin with good quality tea like Dilmah Tea.  The aroma, the taste of a garden fresh single origin Ceylon tea will have your guests coming back to Dilmah Tea.  Enjoy having your own Afternoon or High Tea and it will be great fun.

 Dilmah Australia will have an Dilmah Real High Tea Competition.  Please go to Real High Tea website to receive all the details.  Closes August 6, 2012

http://realhightea.dilmahtea.com/