The Stafford London Afternoon Tea Review

On 31 July The Stafford London launched their new Afternoon Tea. Presented tableside, cakes and pastries will now be served from a bespoke handcrafted cake trolley. Guests can select five seasonal cakes or pastries from the display each. This personalised approach enhances a sense of luxury and exclusivity. The sandwiches and scones will still be served on a traditional cake stand giving a classic and comforting touch. And as it’s currently Afternoon Tea Week what better excuse to treat yourself with a booking at The Game Bird inside The Stafford.

THE STAFFORD AFTERNOON TEA MENU

Sandwiches

Forman & Son Smoked Salmon
Montgomery Cheddar, Spring Onion & Tomato
Free-Range Coronation Chicken
Honey Roasted Ham, Mustard Mayonnaise

Savoury

Truffled Egg & Watercress Brioche Bun

Scones

Plain & Raisin, Whipped Clotted Cream, Strawberry Jam
Paxton & Whitfield Westcombe Cheddar, Soft Cheese & Chives

Selection of cakes from our trolley

(5 items per person)

 Earl Grey & Honey Layer Cake
Raspberry, Apple & Elderflower Macaron
Coffee Choux Bun
Vanilla & Raspberry White Mouse
Lemon & Basil Tart Cherry & Coconut Mousse

£70 per person

SANDWICHES

I went to The Stafford Afternoon Tea with another creator and friend of mine, Char. We started with the sandwich selection which was a real highlight of the experience. Char even went as far as to say they were the best sandwiches she’s ever had at Afternoon Tea. The H. Forman & Son Smoked Salmon was top quality that melted in the mouth. The combination of Montgomery Cheddar, Spring Onion and Tomato was an ideal grouping. The sharp and nutty flavour of the cheese was balanced by the freshness of the spring onion and the sweetness of the tomato.

I’m not usually a fan of coronation chicken but this sandwich completely changed my perspective. The delicious fusion of tender chicken and creamy coronation sauce was a delightful mix of textures and flavours. And the Honey Roasted Ham was a masterpiece in its simplicity. The mustard mayonnaise brought a zesty kick that perfectly complimented the ham’s sweetness. I must admit I didn’t try the Egg and Watercress Brioche Bun, but Char was very happy to take it off my hands.

SCONES

Scones are a quintessential component of a classic British Afternoon Tea. It was nice to see that there was an assortment of flavours instead of just the standard plain scone. FYI, I pronounce it “skon”, rhyming it with gone rather than bone. The plain and raisin scones were baked to perfection and cut easily without falling apart. And this is where I make an admission that will have some branding me a complete heathen… I switched out the clotted cream for butter.

Now the important and inevitable Afternoon Tea question, in what order do you layer your scone filling? I go for butter followed by strawberry jam, and I don’t understand why you’d do the alternative. The Paxton & Whitfield Westcombe Cheddar Scone with soft cheese and chives provided a savoury alternative. It was an interesting deviation from the norm, but I must admit it was a bit too strong for me. The cheese flavour was quite robust and as I don’t like soft cheese, I found it quite dry.

DESSERTS

The pièce de resistance was undoubtedly the selection of cakes from the trolley. The Coffee Choux Bun had a rich coffee flavour and would go down well with caffeine lovers. The rich taste contrasted well with the airy texture and delicate choux pastry. The Lemon & Basil Tart was an adventurous and bold move that paid off. The chef’s creativity shone through in the pairing of zesty lemon with the herbaceous notes of basil. The Cherry and Coconut Mousse was a delicious symphony of tropical fruity notes balanced by the tartness of the cherries.

Unfortunately, I was unable to try the Raspberry, Apple, and Elderflower Macaron due to allergies. But I could appreciate the beautiful artistry of the elegant creation. The vibrant green hues against the raspberries was the first thing that caught my eye from the trolley. We also did not try the Earl Grey & Honey Layer Cake as this was not included in our cake selection. But it sounded like a sophisticated and flavourful dessert that would please both the eyes and tastebuds.

THE WHITE MOUSE

The Vanilla and Raspberry White Mouse was inspired by The Stafford’s most famous resident, Nancy Wake. New Zealand-born Nancy was one of the world’s most decorated resistance fighters in WWII. Dubbed ‘The White Mouse’ by the Gestapo it was presumed she was a man and so she was never caught. Girl power! Just as Nancy’s courage left a fixed mark on history, this dessert left a lasting impression on the palate. This is the one time you’ll be thrilled to have a mouse join you at the table.

The Stafford Afternoon Tea shows the skill and creativity of the team. The new recipes were created collectively by Magdalena Velczenbach, Head Pastry Chef, and Lisa Goodwin-Allen. Lisa oversees the menu direction at The Stafford as well as being Executive Chef of Michelin-starred Northcote in Lancashire. The menu is an invitation to a memorable and unique dining experience. This is where taste, aesthetics, and innovation converge, and I would highly recommend making a booking.

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