10 TIPS: How to Host a Hens Tea Party

The tradition of high tea goes back to the 19th century when the English upper classes would convene mid-afternoon for tea and sandwiches followed by a promenade around the park. Take inspiration from this twee tradition & host your own high tea with a difference.
Set the theme & scene with a vintage flavour with our top tips below:

• Make bunting from old doilies and string up

• Extend your table and throw on a table cloth - if you don't have one handy, fabric shops sell cheap spotted, floral and striped material by the metre.

• Rummage through antique and op shops and gather a selection of  vintage china … don't worry if the patterns are mismatched.

• Borrow your grandmothers silver tea set

• Buy a cut glass sugar bowl and milk jug cake slices for serving.

Serve:

• Serve chilled pink bubbly on arrival

• Serve warm scones, home-made strawberry jam and slatherings of clotted cream.

• Present multi-coloured macaroons in dainty china teacups

• Don't forget some savoury. Ribbon sandwiches Salmon and cream cheese, or cucumber and cress make great fillings.

• Pile a silver tea tray with oozing cream cakes and chocolate Ãclairs

venue: Rozelle studio