Afternoon Tea

"Welcome to the annual Brit Com Tea..." greeted us as we arrived to take our places in the special dining room at the Simon Pearce Restaurant in Quechee, Vermont. A tall, well spoken, young man in a dark suit was introducing himself as the Program Director at Vermont Public Television. I glanced around to see mostly older people because, after all, who else is free to have tea on a Wednesday at 3 p.m.? There were even one or two older men in sport coats and ties which is a rare sight in casual Vermont. Obviously we were in the company of some who know that afternoon tea is a special occasion. The round tables were set with a starched white cloths and as I reached for my linen napkin, I admired the handmade pottery from the Simon Pearce shop which I've secretly coveted. All was ready for a full afternoon tea, courtesy of Vermont Public Television.

While listening to opening remarks, a waitress served hot brewed tea from a pot. I missed serving myself out of my own little tea pot and yet could see that my cup was refreshed frequently with piping hot tea that the waitress carried around. At least there was no limp tea bag in a cup of luke warm water which is what you get when you order tea in America. A waiter followed with a tray of dainty sandwiches including white crustless ones with cucumber and lettuce and small buns with chicken salad, egg salad, and salmon. Yes, this afternoon tea was going to be authentic but what made it different was the task we were given. A large screen and projector were set up in the middle of the room. As members of the Brit Com Club, we would be previewing new British comedy series' that VPT is considering for their Saturday program lineup.

Having done this last year, we were familiar with the process as we jotted down our opinions after each entertaining clip. None of this is difficult when you're being fueled with fresh, hot tea, and more sandwiches. Then came the ultimate course of raisin scones, clotted cream, and orange marmalade, along with fresh baked cookies and light meringues as only Simon Pearce, a first class gourmet restaurant, came make them. This is a clever way for Vermont Public Television to thank viewers for donations but also to solicit input on television programs which we are eager to share.

Many people have an interest in buying and collecting rare books, antiques, china, old cars and many other things. While I don't collect "things", my passion has become collecting authentic afternoon tea experiences in venues all over the world. Whenever I'm enjoying afternoon tea in a new place, I think about the many settings I have been in for this kind of an occasion. Perhaps I love afternoon tea because it takes me back to my childhood growing up in Argentina where we children always had "teatime" which included bread and butter and snacks when we came home from school. My Iowa born mother adopted afternoon tea in South America as if she'd grown up with it. I can see her sitting in the living room with a fancy tray on the coffee table, a china tea pot, cup and saucer along with a cookie enjoying the ritual of brewed tea. At 91 she still enjoys doing just that in her small assisted living apartment although she has had to succumb to using tea bags. My ninth birthday tea party was at the Confiteria Paris in downtown Buenos Aires, an elegant venue with mirrored walls and gold ornamentation. Waiters in black coats served three tiered plates of sandwiches and sweets, as my girlfriends and I giggled excitedly in our party dresses and Mary Jane patent leather shoes. My love for afternoon tea only grew when I was an exchange student in London and my English "Mum" would serve tea in front of the coal fire in her small living room. She always had delicate fine china cups and sweets as well as salty snacks. That was when I learned all about "cream teas" with scones piled high with clotted cream and jam. My favorite way to entertain friends and neighbors at home, even though it isn't a very American custom, is to set an elegant table with my Mother's bone English china, make a batch of scones, and brew fresh tea in one of my many china teapots.

While at the Brit Com tea, I remembered afternoon tea at the Alvear Palace Hotel in Buenos Aires just last month. The Alvear Palace is the oldest hotel in Buenos Aires built in the 1930's where afternoon tea is served from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Waiters in red coats and white gloves serve tea in silver pots with individual tiny holders that fit on the handle of the pot. There is a choice of at least 20 different teas including some unusual Argentine herbal ones. The setting is a high glass ceiling room like a winter garden with potted plants and hanging ferns, and tile floor reminiscent of a Victorian gazebo. Round tables with white table cloths and fine Villeroy and Boch pale green china set the atmosphere. The only thing that was missing was the clotted cream! Scones came simply with marmalade and butter. But then afternoon tea is not only about the food as the venue plays an important part. The Alvear Palace tea experience was almost as special as the Burj Al Arab teas we enjoyed in Dubai, but for half the price, and without the glitzy champagne which is not necessarily part of the traditional British experience.

I am already looking forward to next year's Brit Com tea at the Simon Pearce restaurant and am getting hungry just thinking about it. There are few places where I live now for this kind of experience and so I shall savor memories of the past and look forward to adding new afternoon tea experiences when I go traveling again. In the meatime, I will get out my English china teapot and cup and saucer this afternoon and brew myself a real cup of tea!