A Simple Guide to Afternoon Tea Service Catering

If you are planning a special occasion or event that is fast approaching, but you are still unsure about the catering menu, perhaps you might consider afternoon tea service. Afternoon tea service catering is the perfect choice for birthday parties, bridal showers, baby showers, business meetings, luncheons, and more. It delivers an ambience of elegance and sophistication, plus serves as a responsible and cost-effective way to stave off hunger before the main meal is served.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about afternoon tea service catering, including how to choose a tea selection, which items to consider for your food platters, and most importantly, where to find trusted professional catering company that can bring your afternoon tea vision to life.

Tea Party Catering Peachtree City GA 678-340-0510
Tea Party Catering Peachtree City GA 678-340-0510

What is Afternoon Tea?

Established by the English back in the early 1800s, hot afternoon tea quickly became a highly civilized and sophisticated ritual among the British elite. It was traditionally served prior to a meal in order to satisfy hunger without filling up too much. You may have heard of afternoon tea, as well as high tea and cream tea. And believe it or not, there is a difference. Afternoon tea is also referred to as Low tea because it is meant to be served seated, and at a low table. It is traditionally served around 4PM with a lighter selection of foods, such as finger sandwiches, sweets, and scones.

High tea, as you have probably guessed it, is served at high tables, and typically following a workday, around five or 6 o’clock in the evening. With high tea, heavier selections of foods are served, like baked beans, stewed vegetables, meats, and casseroles. Cream tea is tea that is served with clotted cream and scones. It can also be served with biscuits or cookies. It is traditionally served following a meal, more like a dessert tea, or even for breakfast.

Tea Options

Did you know that all tea is derived from the same plant, which is scientifically known as Camellia sinesis? Interesting; right? Well, when it comes to serving tea at your catered event, you have the liberty of choosing whichever teas you prefer. Traditionally, breakfast teas or black teas are selected, however you can also throw in decaffeinated tea options, such as chamomile or other types of herbal teas too.

You can also choose your own selection of tea accompaniments, such as lemons, milk, cream, sugar cubes, sugar substitutes, cinnamon sticks, cinnamon, nutmeg, and more. With the help of your Peachtree City catering company, you can also select your own China and table settings. It is recommended to pair your tea service with bouquets of flowers and soft linens to create a truly authentic and memorable experience.

Side Note: Get creative and serve iced tea instead of hot tea for a summertime event!

Food Pairings For Afternoon Tea

When it comes to afternoon tea, the hot tea is not the only focus. The Food pairings that go along with your afternoon tea are just as important. Most often, you can expect tea service to include finger sandwiches, crudités, miniature quiches, small sweets, biscuits, and scones. Within these primary categories of afternoon tea foods, you can create all sorts of flavor combinations for each. Traditionally, afternoon tea foods are served on a tray with 3 to 4 tiers. Each tier should showcase its own category of foods.

The lowest tier, or the bottom tier, is generally reserved for foods like finger sandwiches. These are generally the first foods reached for once afternoon tea is poured since they are the savory ones. Finger foods can be sandwiches with egg salad, cream cheese and cucumber, deli meats, jams and dried meats, and any other combinations you so desire.

After you have a few sandwiches, that is when you want to start reaching for the scones, which should be placed on the second or middle tier. Scones are denser pastries with a biscuit-like consistency. They offer a little bit of savory and little sweetness. But as we all in one, making them the perfect snack in between finger sandwiches and sweets. It is traditional to serve scones with clotted cream, fruit preserves, lemon curd, and even some herb-infused butter.

Finally, on the top tier should be the sweets. Traditionally served sweets at afternoon tea include combinations of mini cupcakes, fruit tartes, canapes, shortbreads, macaroons, cream puffs, cake bites, petit fours, mini eclairs, or similar miniature sweets.

Are you in for a professional caterer in Georgia who can bring your afternoon tea service vision to life? Contact Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 to speak with a friendly and experienced Peachtree City catering service manager, today. We serve all of Peachtree City and its surrounding locations.

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Georgia Catering Services 678-340-0510
Georgia Catering Services 678-340-0510