How to host your own afternoon tea

Afternoon tea.

We'd been meaning to host a girly afternoon tea at my place for some time now, an excuse to cook up all sorts of delicious morsels, and the chance to showcase the gorgeous tea cups I currently have on 'long-term loan' from a friend. I've been collecting all kinds of old-fashioned tiered stands and accoutrements from op-shops over the years as well. It's amazing what you can find in your local op-shop, especially ones in country towns.

It was a celebration of the Speedster's birthday, as well as a general toast to the joys of sisterhood. The comprehensive spread was a combined cooking effort, although the bulk of our afternoon fare was primarily made by the kitchen whirlwind Veruca Salt.

The final spread was indeed quite a sight, and really, if every person brought or baked one dish, an afternoon tea is not the herculean effort it would seem. Petite portion sizes make any dish look elegant and add a few fancy tea cups, a tiered stand and a tablecloth and you, too, can enjoy a decadent afternoon tea on par with many hotel offerings for next to nix.

Twelve gorgeous ladies sipped and supped their way through a very pleasant afternoon. I suggest you get together with your own little circle of friends and host your very own too.


Crustless sandwiches: roast chicken, lettuce and mayonnaise;
hot smoked salmon, cream cheese and cucumber;
curried egg and cress; cucumber and cream cheese;
leg ham, tomato and relish
Joint effort


Savoury pastries


Red wine beef and mushroom pies
by Veruca Salt


Chicken and corn sausage rolls
by Pocahontas


Sweets
(Petit four foldable clam shell stand from op shop)


Lemon coconut cake
by Dorothea


Apple cake
by Dorothea


Trifle cups with Peppermint Crisp and Cherry Ripe toppings
by Pocahontas


Vanilla cupcakes, lemon coconut cupcakes and mini red velvet cakes
by me
(Tiered stand found at op-shop for $20)


Lemon tarts and chocolate mud cake
by Veruca Salt


Coconut macaroons
by Nanny J


Lemon yoghurt cakes
by Veruca Salt


Scones
by Divemummy


Scones with strawberry jam and double cream


Teas
(Tea display box found at an op-shop for $10)


Tea cups
(Not from the op-shop although I have seen quite a few for sale lately)


Passionfruit melting moments and lamingtons
by Veruca Salt and I respectively


Related GrabYourFork posts:
High tea at the Swissotel Crossroads Bar (Jan09), (Nov06) , (Jun06) and (Oct05)
High tea at the Observatory Hotel, Globe Bar
High tea at the Sofitel Wentworth (Sep08) and (Dec06)
High tea at the Victoria Room, Darlinghurst