HOW TO CREATE A VINTAGE AFTERNOON TEA PARTY

HOW TO SERVE A VINTAGE AFTERNOON TEA PARTY

With your crockery, there are two different roads that you can take – the simplistic way or the bold approach. The Olympia Rosa range is presented in clean white designs and includes items such as teapots, milk pots, oval plates, round plates and sugar bowls. This fresh looking range features delicate and traditional embossing to cater for those who wish for a more minimal finish.

If you are looking for tableware with a floral pattern, then the Churchill Nova Chelsea collection fits the bill. Decorated with a fine floral spray that is covered in peach and green hues, this range is completed with an inner motif on the inside of the cups and is perfect for those who are looking for items with a little more design. The wide collection includes items such as oval plates and even a bud vase to add floral decoration to the table.

However, if you are looking for a range which instantly screams vintage, then the Churchill Super Vitrified Vintage Prints collection collection will suit perfectly. This large, 49 product range includes attractive patterns in colours of a classic dark blue or more modern tones of red, pink or grey. There are a variety of different looks in this range, with all of the items featuring an intricate and stylish design. Again, offering all that is needed in terms of plates, teapots and saucers.

Dressing up afternoon tea party delights is as equally as important to the creating, baking and decorating of such food, and it needs to look beautifully presented. A cake stand is an absolute must, and whilst there are many to choose from, a three-tier stand is a great way to display your creations. A clean and simple design with separate levels means that your food looks attractive and can be divided into categories on the tiers.

To complete your whole vintage look, do not forget your table cloth. Made from linen and with a sophisticated ivy leaf pattern throughout, it has a simple elegance and features in a fresh white colour, perfect to allow all your other table items to do the talking.

Napkins and paper doilies are equally important for the setting as they allow the table set¬ up to look complete. Again, both pieces should be of a clean white design like the tablecloth to allow more focus upon the more important table items. Paper doilies add a great vintage feel to any table when they are placed beneath anything, especially cake.

Getting your seating right is also another factor that you should consider. Whilst you will undoubtedly be covering your tables, your seats will be exposed, therefore they must look the part. Chairs like those in the Bolero Bentwood range are the perfect partners for a great vintage look. Versatile designs mean that they can be used not only for afternoon teas but for other ventures in your business.

WHAT TO SERVE AT A VINTAGE TEA PARTY

It is seen by some that the most important factor is the food. Cakes are one of the most crucial aspects for an afternoon tea party to run smoothly and look the part. It is important that you bake a variety of large and small cakes. For delights like a Victoria Sponge, an aluminium tin with a removable base aluminium tin with a removable base is essential to get the sponges out without breaking. To enable you to bake as many cupcakes as you can, a muffin tray with around 24 inserts will ensure you can maximise profits and produce a multitude of cakes. And of course, baking is only half the job. Items such as piping tubes and cupcake cases will make your cakes look irresistible. PME polka dot cases are great to give your cakes that special vintage look and feel.

Tea and other hot drinks might not be to every customer’s liking, therefore you should consider cold drinks too. If you have a license to sell alcohol why not try serving light and gentle cocktails? This is a great way to draw in more custom as it caters to the tastes of certain customers. Just remember to have all the correct cocktail equipment to ensure your drinks match the standards of your food.

If your vintage tea party is one which is for a special occasion, then do not be afraid to bring out the bubbles. Just be prepared to have all the bottles chilled in preparation. At the moment Prosecco is very popular and this would be a great option that your customers would enjoy. For serving such drinks, make sure that you have glassware that fits the tone. For champagne, a great glass would be expected, which is where the Luigi Bormiolo Michelangelo flutes come into the equation. With a long stem and a perfectly shaped upper, these crystal glasses look great in an old style setting and add an extra bit of class to any set-up. On the subject of glasses, do not forget your standard hi-ball glasses to allow your customers to drink their cocktails and water out of.

HOW TO ADVERTISE A VINTAGE TEA PARTY

As you know, preparation is key. The right exposure will do wonders. You can use tableboards, wallboards and pavement boards to advertise inside and outside your premises. This is a simple and effective way to let customers know you offer vintage afternoon teas. A set of colourful liquid chalk markers are a great tool that will produce some colourful and eye-catching designs. This has the potential to create face-to-face conversations with customers that are interested and allows you to talk to them on a friendly and formal basis.

Social media is a great way to reach out to those customers that will not see such techniques as just mentioned. Free methods such as Twitter, Instagram and Youtube allow you to make the most of your business online and you can utilise each site in a different way to promote your afternoon tea further. If money is not a major concern, you can purchase Facebook ads to allow you to target customers who you feel might be interested. For information on how you can market your restaurant successfully, this article provides some great tips and tricks to get you started.

And, of course, do not forget for extra authenticity, providing the correct background music and even dressing the part will make your vintage afternoon tea party the extra real deal!