Last Updated on September 22, 2019 by Irene Seto
A royal afternoon tea at the Fairmont
Afternoon tea is a deliciously decadent way to spend your midday. It’s a truly tasty afternoon treat to experience the finger sandwiches, the scones, and the desserts paired with a quality loose leaf tea. The Fairmont Palliser is home to one of the most popular high teas in the city and has introduced a regal new menu with the Royal Champagne Afternoon Tea series.
Guests will be given the royal treatment with recipes straight from Buckingham Palace. Chef Darren McGrady was the personal chef for Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana as well as Princes’ William and Harry. Working with the Fairmont, he has created a menu fit for a queen (literally!), with Royal favourites like the Earl Grey fruitcake (much loved by Prince Philip), Coronation Chicken (favoured by the Queen Mother), and the Chocolate Birthday Cake (the ultimate royal birthday cake recipe that dates back to the days of Queen Victoria). Many of the Fairmont items continue to be on the menu at Buckingham Palace today.
Check out my droolworthy photos below to see what the Royal Champagne Afternoon Tea has to offer but be sure to try it out in person. The royal menu is only available until November 30.
Afternoon tea featuring tasty appetizers and sandwiches on the first tier, scones on the second tier and pastries and desserts on the third tier.
The Fairmont Royal Tea features four loose lea tea choices: Organic Cream Earl, Rose Pouchong, Castleton Darjeeling and Lapsang Souchong 1919.
Chef Darren McGrady shares charming tales of his time as chef at Buckingham Palace. For example, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II always has scones at her afternoon tea. But she doesn’t necessarily eat them all – she will crumble some up and put down for her pet corgi dogs to eat. Too cute!
Each sandwich and dessert has its own royal story. The Jam Pennies (white sandwich in front center) was a favourite sandwich of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret when they were growing up. It’s the only sandwich that is served round – a circle the size of the old English penny.
Pinkies up!
So many dessert options including the caramel banana cake, vanilla bean shortbread, raspberry tartlets, earl grey fruitcake, chocolate biscuit cake and a fave of all the royals, the chocolate birthday cake.
