Anna, the English Duchess of Bedford (1788-1861) is credited as the creator of ‘high tea’. Because the noon meal had become skimpier, the story goes that the Duchess suffered from ‘a sinking feeling’ at about four o’clock in the afternoon. At first the Duchess had her servants sneak her a pot of tea and a few breadstuffs.

Adopting the European tea service format, she began inviting friends to join her for an additional late afternoon meal in her rooms at Belvoir Castle. The menu centred around small cakes, sandwiches, assorted sweets, and, of course, tea. This summer practice proved so popular, the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for “tea and a walk the fields.”

The practice of inviting friends to come for tea in the afternoon was quickly picked up by other social hostesses, and because it was eaten at a high, dining table rather than the low tea tables, it was termed “high” tea.

The Taste of Balingup hosted a Mother’s Day High Tea on Sunday 12th May! We spent far too much time discussing a ‘dress code’ for the outing with our girls. We suggested that despite the fact that High Tea was in Balingup, we would be dressing up! Our girls weren’t convinced and we finally agreed that they could choose a suitable outfit as long as it didn’t include jeans!

We arrived at ‘High Tea’ to be greeted with a fabulous aroma. We were seated at a table for four next to our good friends the Benson family, all of whom were well dressed in neat, clean blue jeans!

The treats kept coming, served on delightfully pink three tiered high tea cake stands! Many thanks to Katrina and the crew at the taste of Balingup for putting on such a fabulous feast for Mothers Day!