DUKES London Breaks Tradition With A Four-Course Afternoon Tea

The afternoon tea formula has stayed pretty much the same for decades. Traditionally it sees a selection of sweet and savoury treats arranged on tiered cake stands, with everything served at once and diners left to pick and choose their eating order. But DUKES London, one of Mayfair’s finest hotels, is mixing things up with its new offering.

‘Afternoon Curiosity’ Experience Launching At DUKES

This September, DUKES will be launching a new four-course afternoon tea experience, designed to bring something new to the quintessentially British tradition. Served within the hotel’s elegant Drawing Room, the offering will eschew cake stands and instead involve four separate courses.

First up, diners will be served an amuse-bouche of Eggs Drumkilbo, a dish loved by the Queen Mother (and a nod to DUKES’ historic royal connections). This will be followed by a savoury course (dishes are yet to be revealed), ahead of a ‘Flight of Scones’, including three flavour combinations alongside paired condiments. Finally, guests will be treated to a decadent dessert course, complete with an array of ‘interactive sweet treats’. Alongside this, there will be teas from JP’s Originals, plus the option to add a glass of Louis Roederer champagne.

‘This isn’t just afternoon tea; it’s an experience,’ said Executive Chef, Nigel Mendham. ‘We’ve reimagined every detail, blending the best of British tradition with innovative flavours and presentation. From the amuse-bouche to the final sweet touch, we want our guests to feel both indulged and entertained.’

The tradition of afternoon tea dates all the way back to the 1800s, when Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, complained of having a ‘sinking feeling’ during the late afternoon (we feel you, Anna). She craved something to satisfy her hunger until dinner time, and asked to be brought a tray of bread, butter and tea. This grew into a habit, and soon she began inviting friends to join her – and so the afternoon tea ritual was born.

Before long, London’s top hotels started getting involved by offering afternoon tea experiences. And while certain factors are a pivotal part (is it really afternoon tea without cake and a cuppa?), there’s always space for reinventing the wheel and trying new things, as DUKES is demonstrating with its new offering.

Prices from £65pp, launching 17 September 2024. dukeshotel.com