Ma tante par alliance, Susan, a organisé un superbe « shower » champêtre à l’occasion de mon mariage. Le lieu était magnifique; un thé victorien et des succulentes petites bouchées étaient servis, bref ce fut un « Simply Slendid Afternoon Tea »! Les biscuits inscris avec mes initiales et l’adorable menu conçu pour l’occasion étaient ravissants. Ayant habitée en Angleterre, les « watercress and cucumber savouries » me rappelaient les thés à l’Anglaise savourés les dimanches après-midi.

Josée-Anne Wakefield

What can I expect when you come to my home to coordinate afternoon tea? 

Can I order only certain items from one of the tea menus? 

I know my elderly aunt would appreciate an afternoon tea at her home, especially if she could use her heirloom china. May I pre-pay a tea? 

How much food is included in a Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Tea? 

How many sandwiches does each guest get? 

What is usually included in the dessert portion of the afternoon tea? 

Can I order extra sandwiches and fewer desserts? 

Do you provide fresh fruits with your afternoon teas? 

Can I choose any tea for my afternoon tea party? 

Can I create an à la carte menu for my tea party? 

I want a traditional English tea in my home, but I own earthenware mugs – is it still possible to have a traditional English afternoon tea party? 

 
What can I expect when you come to my home to coordinate afternoon tea?

Every Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Tea unfolds with the well-appointed tea table: crisp white tablecloth and tea napkins; china teapot and cups and saucers; freshly-made tea sandwiches that are trimmed and quartered, small cakes, biscuits, and of course, classic English scones with imported Devon double clotted cream. This is accompanied by the choicest loose leaf teas.

The tea table is organized well in advance of your guests’ arrival. When your guests arrive, our well-trained staff coordinate every detail of your Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Tea, allowing you the full pleasure of your guests’ company.

Our staff take care of keeping the teapot fresh and full; replenishing the tea sandwiches and bringing the cakes and scones to the table at the appropriate time. After the tea, our staff will remove any items rented for your event and if you wish, can help put away your tea service.

 
Can I order only certain items from one of the tea menus?

Yes, in fact several hostesses do order certain items such as the scones, clotted cream and preserves for brunch or a pound cake as a hostess gift. Simply Splendid à la carte is our “take-out” service.

 
I know my elderly aunt would appreciate an afternoon tea at her home, especially if she could use her heirloom china. May I pre-pay a tea?

Absolutely. Our Simply Splendid gift certificate allows you to order an afternoon tea or other items from our menus. At this time, gift certificates are valid only in the Greater Toronto Area. The minimum order for a gift certificate is four guests.

 
How much food is included in a Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Tea?

The amount of food depends on which menu you choose – we have three set menus: The Princess Victoria Tea; The Queen Victoria Tea and The Victoria and Albert Tea. Also, we are always pleased to customize any menu – or to create a special menu for you – to meet your preferences and dietary concerns.

 
How many sandwiches does each guest get?

We use 3 slices of bread per person; this allows 1.5 sandwiches per person. We remove the crusts and cut each sandwich into four. We are always pleased to adjust portions to meet your specific needs.

Unsalted butter is used in all the sandwiches.

 
What is usually included in the dessert portion of the afternoon tea?

The actual desserts and the amount of desserts depend on which menu you choose – we have three set menus: The Princess Victoria Tea, The Queen Victoria Tea and The Victoria and Albert Tea.

Classic English Scones are part of every Afternoon Tea. One order is 2 scones per person and includes imported Devonshire cream from North Devon, and preserves. All scones are baked a day or two before your afternoon tea. We provide one piece of assorted cakes, squares, and biscuits for each guest.

The portions, like the tea sandwiches, are “petite” and guests enjoy sampling the miniature desserts – none of which is larger than two mouthfuls. Again, we would be pleased to customize the quantities to reflect your specific needs.

 
Can I order extra sandwiches and fewer desserts?

Yes, every order for a Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon can be customized to suit your preferences.

 
Do you provide fresh fruits with your afternoon teas?

A seasonal fruit, or a “lighter dessert”, is part of the menu for the Queen Victoria Tea and the Victoria and Albert Tea.

 
Can I choose any tea for my afternoon tea party?

Of course! We can provide you with several options of loose leaf teas. You may choose one tea, or you may want to include one regular tea and an herbal tea.

We serve loose leaf teas to provide you with a superior taste, and with the authentic experience of a Victorian Afternoon Tea. We purchase our teas from a purveyor of fine teas who source teas from the great tea plantations of the world.

Currently we recommend a very special blend: Baroness Grey. Baroness Grey is a blend of high-grown Ceylon black tea with cornflowers, lemon peels and rose petals, in addition to the traditional Earl Grey flavouring of oil of bergamot. We also recommend Red Rooibos tea – an herbal which comes from a South African bush, and whose leaves provide a sweet and flavourful tea.

We provide sugar cubes, milk and lemon slices with each order of afternoon tea.

 
Can I create an à la carte menu for my tea party?

Absolutely! We are more than pleased to work with you to develop a most memorable afternoon tea menu for you and your guests.

 
I want a traditional English tea in my home, but I don’t own fine china. Is it still possible to have a traditional English afternoon tea party?

You can certainly have a traditional English tea party if you supplement your china with rental items to create an English Afternoon Tea experience. Fine bone china cups and saucers, teapots, cream and sugar sets, sandwich trays/stands and strainers can be rented. Also, if required, linen tablecloths and tea napkins are also available to rent. Rental List

If you have any questions about a Victorian Afternoon Tea which we have not addressed in this section of our web site, send your questions to us at marilyn@splendidafternoonteas.com. We commit to answering your question within 48 hours.