High Tea is a popular activity in Sydney but can often end up costing you more than you'd pay for dinner. Instead of spending a small fortune on tea and petite sandwiches, cakes and pastries why not host your own? Invite your friends for an afternoon you're sure to remember. This quick guide will tell you everything you need to know to host your own High Tea.
First of all, decide who you are going to invite and set the date.
Secondly, decide whether you want your guests to each bring a plate or whether you'd prefer to provide it all. If you decide to ask your guests to each bring a plate make sure it's coordinated so you don't end up with too much of the same thing. If you decide to provide it all yourself and you're concerned about financing you could always ask your guests to each chip in a small amount to cover costs.
The food you need at your High Tea must be a mix of sweet and savoury and is traditionally served in petite portions. Think crustless sandwiches and mini pies or quiches for savoury and mini cakes, pastries, tarts and scones for sweet. Finding recipes you can prepare in advance will make your job easier. If you're not quite a chef you could probably find all the things you need at your local patisserie or catering store. Otherwise, dig out those recipe books or jump online and look at places like
Taste for recipes and inspiration.
As for tea, at least two different varieties are essential to cater for all taste buds. For exotic, different flavoured teas you could try
T2. They even offer sampler boxes containing different flavoured tea bags.
When it comes to presentation, try your best to buy or borrow a tiered plate stand. If your High Tea is a fancy affair search online for a company that hires out tiered plate stands in your area. Otherwise, normal platters will suffice. Pretty tea cups are a must, the more floral the better.
If money is an issue, you could always hunt through stores like Vinnies for some unique tea cups at bargain prices.
Don't forget a table cloth to complete the look.
Since summer is fast approaching, and spring is already among us, you could even consider throwing a garden High Tea. Take your High Tea outside and sit amongst the sunshine. Replace your tea with iced tea made in jugs with ice and fresh cut fruit.
