A quintessential experience for a visitor to England is to indulge in afternoon tea. Although the Berkeley’s Prêt-à-Portea is less traditional than most I quite like the fact it has its own spin on afternoon tea and everything is just so pretty!

The season’s designers were Erdem, Paul Smith, Yves Saint Laurent, Jason Wu, Anya Hindmarch, Christopher Kane Jean Paul Gaultier and Sonia Rykiel. Honestly the chefs at the Berkeley must have so much fun interpreting the latest fashions – and because they don’t have to serve the same thing for the entire year it would certainly keep their interests up.

So, what treats did we have today? Including the usual assorted sandwiches and layer of savoury treats including a crab handroll thingy and grilled prawns we had the stars of the afternoon tea:

• Anya Hindmarch light apricot sponge summer “Halen” bag, wrapped in almond marzipan with playful bow
• Paul Smith orange, papaya and pink lavender bavarois top with chocolate bowler hat
• Season’s must-have dog biscuit adorned with chocolate brown studs and white leather glaze
• Yves Saint Laurent soft romantic white chocolate mousse and raspberry custard finished with crunchy meringue scattered with mini strawberries
• Sonia Rykiel nautical vanilla and raspberry jam layered mousse topped with humorous yellow hat
• Belted Jason Wu poppy-seed cocktail dress biscuit embellished with ruffled purple icing
• Erdem dark silky chocolate cake filled with passion fruit and delicate lace
• Christopher Kane pale pink almond macaroon filled with chocolate and elderflower ganache topped with a pink checkerboard
• Jean Paul Gaultier fluorescent cheese cake on almond and oat base accessorized with a bright yellow sugar twirl

Yep – the descriptions are almost as fun as the delicacies themselves!

Apart from going into a sugar coma I think my family really enjoyed the afternoon tea. The also enjoyed the banter we were having with the waiters and waitresses which culminated, once again, in us walking away with cute doggie bags. 😉