Proper Way to Serve Tea Party Foods

Cookies, cakes and other starchy sweets are usually served buffet-stye at proper tea parties.

Though the term tea party carries with it a tone of snobbish arrogance, the actual afternoon tea get-together was originally created as a casual affair meant to break the sleepy lull between lunch and dinner. Many cultures around the world partake in an afternoon tea or coffee accompanied by breads or sweets. The classic tea party commonly celebrated in America is a take on the version that originated in England. As an intimate gathering, tea party food is not served by waiters or host but is rather "placed out" for guests to casually serve themselves.

Instructions

1. Set up both a tea tray and coffee tray on both sides of the table or at a separate side table. You can also set up additional trays for items such as hot chocolate or juices. A traditional tea party is set up either with self-service tea stations or with the host stationed behind the tray as the tea server. Self-serve stations are more practical as they allow the host to take an equal part in the party.

2. Prepare all foods before the party starts. All food items, whether homemade or purchased, should be prepared and plated before the guests arrive. Nothing should be baking or simmering on the stove during the party. As such all items are generally nonperishable and can be left at room temperature for a significant amount of time.

3. Serve sweet items. The food items served at a traditional tea time are uniquely sweet or buttery as they are not a meal and are simply meant to compliment the meal. Cookies, cakes, danishes, muffins, scones and butter biscuits with jam are all appropriate tea party foods. The only savory items that are usually served at tea parties are tea sandwiches filled with either a light chicken, cucumber, salmon, tuna or carrot salad.

4. Designate a buffet table for the food to be displayed. One option for serving food at a tea party is to designate a small side table as a buffet table for the items to be displayed. Group the same items together on delicate fancy plates or stack them into dessert tiers or baskets. Place additional small plates at the buffet table in case someone forgets to grab their place setting.

5. Fill plates with food items to be passed around the table. The second option for serving food, aside from a buffet table, is to place items on serving plates on the table. Guests can choose their desired goodies and pass the serving plates around without having to get out of their chair. Place a dessert tier at the center of the table for easy access from all directions.

6. Place small bowls or pots filled with jam, honey, cream cheese and butter around the table for easy access. Breads and scones require dressings, so place all spreadable condiments on the table with their own individual spoons or knifes. Place a set of condiments at each corner or between every two people to share.

References

• Elegant Woman: Tea Party Etiquette
• Tea Party Circle: High Tea Recipes
• Tea Muse: The Tea Party, History and Ideas