The Promenade at The Dorchester launches Chelsea Flower Show afternoon tea

From Monday 18^th to Sunday 24^th May, in collaboration with Laurent-Perrier, the Promenade at the Dorchester will be offering a themed afternoon tea, drawn from this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. It will be the sixth year that the five-star luxury hotel has held this special event, finding its inspiration in Dan Pearson’s 2015 garden for Laurent-Perrier at the Chelsea Flower Show, which is heavily referenced through lavish floral arrangements by the Dorchester’s designer florist Phillip Hammond, who will decorate the dining area with woodland-inspired bouquets and indoor trees.

From the moment guests enter and are escorted to the exquisite ground-floor Promenade tearoom by a member of the service team, there is already a sense that visitors are about to have a very special experience. Every little detail, from the flower arrangements to the colour of the crockery, is placed in such a way to take one away to another, more delightful world. The smell of tea and pastries, in combination with the magnificent surroundings, contribute to creating an amazing dining experience.

After being given a few moments to catch one’s breath and to take in the beautiful surroundings, the first course is presented. Following a glass of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé, guests are offered a selection of delightful finger sandwiches, which will include fillings such as cucumber with cream, egg mayonnaise with shiso cress, chicken with wholegrain mustard mayonnaise, smoked salmon, and mozzarella with tomato and pesto. There is sure to be something for even the pickiest of eaters.

The next course comes in the form of a palate-cleansing aperitif of mint cream encased in a thin layer of dark chocolate, with dark chocolate ganache. All this is complemented by another glass of Laurent-Perrier rosé and a cup of the Dorchester’s house-blend tea. This tea is a refreshing mix of Sri Lankan Ceylon and golden Assam, creating subtle caramel notes in the palate.

Next, visitors are presented with deliciously warm scones; a choice of fresh plain or currant scones is offered, topped by homemade strawberry or blackcurrant preserves, and a very decadent Cornish clotted cream. The scones are so warm and comforting that guests might just forget to partake in the cream/jam debate.

For the final course, guests are presented with gorgeous hand-crafted treats, including a flower basket sponge with a praline chocolate cream, and chocolate mousse soil with edible flowers. Chocolate sweet tart beehives with caramel, lemon and honey crémeux are each topped with a playful bee made of fondant, and followed by a flowerpot almond financier cake with a blackberry and currant mousse.

This is an event not to be missed by lovers of tea, whimsy and gardening: a delicious, magical experience.

Amaliah Sara Marmon-Halm

To book a table at The Dorchester, 53 Park Ln Mayfair, London W1K 1QA, call +44 (0)207 629 8888 or enquire here.