Tea Archives - Aspiring Snob

Afternoon Tea 2.0 – Afternoon Tea Week during a Pandemic

Experiences, Food & Drink, Rituals, Tea Aga

Last year we talked to Eileen Donaghey, the Afternoon Tea Expert about all things afternoon tea. In our post, we gained an expert insight into this charming and quintessentially British ritual. This year, ahead of Afternoon Tea Week 2020, we wanted to know if and how the afternoon tea experience will evolve, given the current global pandemic and if this is the beginning of a version 2.0 of afternoon tea.

Given the ever-changing restrictions and limitations placed on restaurants, hotels and other areas of the hospitality sector, it remains unclear how venues could provide afternoon tea, if at all.

Afternoon Tea Week – an Expert Insight

Experiences, Fine Dining, Food & Drink, Rituals, Tea Aga

Given it’s Afternoon Tea Week in London this week – starting from the 12th of August – Aspiring Snob set out to learn more about this endearing and most English of traditions. After our own experience with Afternoon Tea at the amazing Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, we got hooked and have enjoyed many a sandwich and scone since then, while gaining a greater appreciation for good tea.

To help us on our journey of exploring afternoon tea, its etiquette and its history, we reached out to Eileen Donaghey, the Afternoon Tea Expert. “Afternoon tea is a distinctly British phenomenon that is currently enjoying a resurgence amongst those who appreciate fine food and drink. I’ve been passionate about afternoon tea and everything around it for a number of years and now have the opportunity to share my passion with like-minded enthusiasts from all over the world”, says Eileen.

Afternoon Tea Unlimited

Alcohol, Experiences, Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Rituals, Tea Aga

There is only one prerequisite you need in order to go for afternoon tea in the Rosebery Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park: be ravenous. And I don’t mean be just a bit peckish thinking you’ll have a cup of tea, a dry sandwich and a piece of cake. I mean this is my only meal of the day hungry. Trust me on this one, now let’s find out why…