How to Hold a High Tea for Friends

Unlike afternoon tea, which historically was a social gathering for women of the elite classes, high tea is served in the evening, around 6 p.m., and can easily replace dinner. It once served as the last meal of the day for working men, but now anyone can hold a high tea for friends and relax with flowing conversation. Keep the group small (no more than seven people, including yourself), and you can create an intimate, memorable evening that will entice your guests to repeat the affair. Here are suggestions on how to hold a high tea.

Instructions

1. Brew two different kinds of tea. Try the loose-leaf variety, and keep it warm in teapots covered by tea cozies. Consider one traditional black tea (Earl Grey is good) and one non-traditional variety (such as African Red Roobis, or perhaps a delicate white tea).

2. Serve dishes of meat, fish or eggs. Traditional dishes include meat pies and Welsh rarebit, but a simple plate laid with cold cuts, another one with lox and a vegetable frittata will do this in this day and age. Or consider making a simple salad with hard-boiled eggs.

3. Lay out on a wooden board (or a large plate or platter) three different kind of cheeses, as well as a sliced loaf of bread and butter. Choose non-stinky cheese so the odors won't compete with the other aromas in the room. Go for a familiar cheese (such as fresh mozzarella), an exotic cheese (such a sheep's milk) and a spreadable cheese. Each cheese should have its own small knife.

4. Get creative with dessert, which should also be laid out at the same time. Don't feel that you have to serve scones with clotted cream. Try little cakes, pastries or even a variety of cookies. Feel free to have fruit on hand as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Turn off the television. Better yet, cover it with a sheet and act as if it doesn't exist. Instead, put on some soft, mellow music, such as violin concertos.

• Light some candles for effect.