‘Pret a Portea’ at The Berkeley

Is there anything quite so quintessentially English than taking time out for a spot of afternoon tea?  Generally regarded as a past time for those women who basically have nothing better to do with their afternoons, or ladies of a certain age, afternoon tea has been thoroughly reinvented at The Berkeley.

Designer Delicacies

The sweet treats on offer at the Berkeley all have a certain theme; they are all designed and created around the colourful world of fashion, and just as the fashion season changes every six months so does the menu.  Fashionistas would be proud to dine on any of the selections from the Spring/Summer 2012 collection as they could be delicately nibbling on a Dolce & Gabbana or Valentino inspired creation.  At The Berkeley the traditional afternoon tea has taken to the catwalk, with their designer delights being served daily in the aptly named Caramel Room each day between 1-6pm.  You will never find a cake stand anywhere else quite so elegantly dressed.

Supporting Acts

Every catwalk model and every designer has their entourage, and so too do the delectable designer morsels on the cake stand.  A wide range of teas are served to suit both your mood and compliment the designs, including The Berkeley’s own ‘caramel indulgence’ infusion.  And as glamorous accessories to the main act guests will find that they have a fabulous selection of mini savoury skewers to choose from as well as several finger sandwiches and exquisitely elegant canapés.

The Star of the Show

All of the cakes and fancies are created in the latest colours and the season and in the style of some of the world’s greatest fashion designers, for example:

• Miu Miu – A vanilla bikini biscuit with its inspiration in the 1950’s, a cute white bow is offset against hot red icing.
• Gucci – A dark valrhona and Grand Marnier chocolate mousse with golden bead embellishments, all in an art deco style.
• Christian Louboutin – A fashion must have item, this blazing neon yellow stiletto biscuit has the designer’s signature red sole.
• Valentino – A beautifully romantic peach cake in the shape of a dress, with pretty pink champagne jelly and a charming edible flower.

Jubilee Style

In honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (29^th May – 9^th June) the delicacies on offer have been themed to resemble the most famous of the hats worn by members of the Royal family, including of course the crown, which has been recreated in the form of a delicious vanilla biscuit, complete with twinkling sugar diamonds and incredibly intricate icing.  The much acclaimed ‘Maple Leaf Hat’ worn by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on a recent visit to Canada has been recreated in the form of a rich red, strawberry panna cotta macaroon.  Many of the designs are inspired by the creations of the Queen’s favourite milliners Rachel Trevor-Morgan.  It has been estimated that since her coronation in 1952 that the queen has worn in excess of 5000 different hats to royal events throughout her sixty years on the throne.