One of the funniest and easiest ways to entertain guests is to hold an elegant afternoon tea. It is also the perfect way to celebrate an anniversary, baby shower, hen's party or birthday. Although traditionally, an afternoon tea was considered a somewhat formal and stodgy occasion, such events are now often held as fun and casual get-togethers, even though they may be held in an elegant atmosphere. Hiring a high tea catering company is a good way to ensure your event is a success.

Even though it may look simple, catering a high tea can be a somewhat complicated affair. Although it may at first seem as if all one must do is make some finger sandwiches and pick up some scones and jelly, the delicate and elaborate cuisine typically served at such events takes a bit more planning than the serving of mere tidbits. In many cases, those who attempt to cater such an event themselves are typically too busy and exhausted from the preparations to spend any quality time with the family members and friends who have been invited.

Fortunately, the steps listed below will help you to ensure your affair is a success:

Invitations

Initially, it is important to decide whether or not you wish to hold a casual or formal high tea. Once this decision has been made, you should set the tone by your invitation. For example, if you choose to send your invitations by e-mail, this typically indicates that the get-together will be casual. If you print out lovely, delicate invitations and address them individually with a calligraphy pen, most people will assume that the soirée is of a more formal nature. However, if you want guests to dress up, you should definitely mention a dress code in your invitations.

Food Preparation

Finger food is a staple of high tea catering. Virtually all guests will expect sweet treats, including friands, fruit cake, cupcakes, banana bread, cookies and scones. Of course, if you are not all that handy with baked goods, you can certainly visit a local caterer or bakeshop to obtain the necessary items.

Finger sandwiches are also often served at tea parties, with common favorites being ham and Swiss cheese, egg and lettuce, and cucumber and cream cheese. Scones with fresh cream and jam are great choices well, but be sure to have small napkins available, as finger foods can be quite messy.

Arranging Your Table

Begin with a lace tablecloth or one that is made from plain, white linen. Arrange cupcakes, finger sandwiches, scones, and other delicacies on simple white platters and then surround them with heaping bowls of jam and cream.

Use one of your decorative teapots to prepare tea and coffee, setting each pot at one end of the table. You should also arrange milk, cream and lemon wedges near the coffee and teapots.

Serving Hot Beverages

Teacups and saucers should be positioned to the left of the teapots, as this makes it easy for the individual pouring the beverages to reach the next cup. If your affair is somewhat formal, the teas should be brewed in advance. However, for a casual affair, you can offer a variety of teabags from which guests can choose. Just make sure you provide empty bowls for guests to discard their used spoons and teabags.

Decorations

Head to your local florist to invest in some fresh flowers in order to make a simple, but elegant decorative centerpiece for your high tea. Fragrant red roses will add a glamorous touch, while a large bouquet of daisies placed in tall vases will add a whimsical atmosphere to your soirée. Using brightly colored napkins is also a nice decorative touch you may wish to consider.

If you are organizing such a party in the near future, our dedicated high tea catering team will help you arrange an event that will be quite memorable to your guests. We have received many positive reviews due to our experience in the field of tea party catering. Therefore, you can be sure of a successful event when we arrange your high tea. Our cuisine is fresh, delicious and creative and our prices are very reasonable. Give us a call today to help schedule your affair and ensure that it is a success.