Have you ever been invited to a High Tea event but were not sure what to wear or even what happens at one?
High Tea is a light meal typically eaten between 3pm and 5pm, served with desserts, cakes and tea sandwiches. Also called afternoon tea, its origin is attributed to Anna Maria, 7th Duchess of Bedford, when she requested tea and light sandwiches lates in the afternoon to help tide over her hunger until dinner time.
She also invited her high society friends to join her and the concept became popular among the elite who loved entertaining guests in their drawing rooms. Eventually, the practice caught on among the working class as a post-lunch energy boost to keep them full until the end of the work day while supper was being prepared.
Today, High Tea is a highly-favoured theme for birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, christenings and much more – dining at this hour allows you to take things at a leisurely pace, maximising the joys of socialising over the pleasure of food.
All around Australia, every weekend you can discover a High Tea event to salivate over, here are four of our faves:
A traditional High Tea is the highlight of Sundays at Level One Lounge at Hornsby RSL, found just off Pacific Highway in Hornsby. Enjoy a selection of gourmet sandwiches, mini quiches, petit fours, assorted macarons and scones with cream and preserves, all served with your choice of tea from premium selections.
Choose from five options from tea only to a glass of bubbles, an exclusive or classic cocktail, French (which includes a glass of Veuve Clicquot) or a kids’ High Tea, with a special children’s menu. Chill out in a contemporary ambience at this spacious, bistro-style eatery ideal for any event with an open alfresco area and plush indoor dining space with plenty of natural light.
Spoil yourself and your loved ones with a High Tea at The Barracks Lanyon Homestead on Tharwa Drive in Tharwa. A comfortably quick 30-minute drive from Canberra City, perched amongst the lush greenery of this country town, The Barracks Espresso Bar & Eating House is set within a working rural property.
The estate encompasses the historic Lanyon Homestead and rustic outbuildings to suit any occasion, whether dropping in for scones and a cup of tea or seeking a stunning backdrop for wedding celebrations. Taking up residence in an outbuilding, The Barracks provides a colonial-inspired menu to go with traditional High Tea favourites such as finger sandwiches, decadent sweets and pastries.
A farm-fresh High Tea is what you can expect at Wellington Point Farmhouse on Main Road in Wellington Point. This charming restaurant and café is a hidden gem, surrounded by paddocks of fresh produce which only travels metres to the Chef’s kitchen and onto guests’ plates.
A perfect escape for those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, pre-book your High Tea for a minimum of six guests and delve into delicate finger sandwiches, mini quiche, sweet treats like chocolate eclairs and of course, freshly baked scones, jam and cream.
Bubbles, beers and a range of delicious savoury and sweet treats – what more can anyone want from a relaxed visit to Red Poles on McMurtrie Road in McLaren Vale? Perfect for an informal get-together, bridal or baby shower, fundraising event or birthday celebration, choose from two options – High which includes a glass of bubbles or Low, which includes a local beer.
These mouth-watering High Tea options provide a selection including cheese and bacon damper, focaccia chicken and native bush chutney sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, chocolate brownies, apricot bliss balls, spring rolls and dipping sauce, savoury pastries and chicken skewers with tomato chutney.
