Bridgerton Tea Time Treasures: Scones, shortbread, and BTS' Bridgerton-inspired afternoon tea in 2024!

Bridgerton books inspired a Netflix series, fancy tea sets, high end tea fare and BTS' tea talks!

There's so much Bridgerton news that, if penned in the style of Lady Whistledown, we'd surely run down our quill pen and ink bottle rather quickly. But, alas, we have the benefit of a laptop and can share the news with no fear of interruption.

As, we wrapped up our BTS tea events for the year, with the last two held within a fortnight, we look to our 2024 season. First up, a "Bridgerton Afternoon Tea" in February (watch our website for details!) and we can't wait to serve and "spill" the tea with fellow fans of the Regency-period ton.

We'll be sharing our personal visits to some of the Bridgerton series filming sites from previous trips to England and most recently, our excursion to Bath.  (The latter includes the home of Lady Danbury and a very special dress shop.)

In Bath, England on personal Bridgerton Tour

In past blogs, dating back to 2021, we've shared our enthusiasm for Bridgerton as early adopters of the show. We wrote how the Netflix series sparked sales of fancy tea sets (Fancy tea sets surge in popularity.) and featured the first Bridgerton novel by Julia Quinn (and also the first in the Netflix series) in our Tuesday Tea and Tomes in June of 2022. ("Tuesday Tea and Tons").  We not only reviewed "The Duke and I", but The Republic of Tea's accompanying "Duke and Duchess Honey Breakfast Tea".  Hot, spicy and sweet - those words apply to the story as well as the tea.

In May of this year, we devoted two blog posts to Queen Charlotte, the "prequel" to the Bridgerton series co-written by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes (the latter created the Netflix series based on Quinn's novels). We shared our thoughts on the historical fiction/love story of King George III and Queen Charlotte as well as another tea inspired by Bridgerton, "Queen's Cake".

All that to say, we've been fans for quite awhile and look forward to not only our upcoming Bridgerton tea event in February, but also Season 3 of Bridgerton starting in May, 2024.

Williams Sonoma Tea Time Tales: special tea treats behind 8 "doors"

To celebrate, we purchased Williams Sonoma's "Bridgerton Tea Time Tales", an abbreviated countdown calendar featuring Bridgerton-inspired treats behind eight covered "doors".  We won't reveal all the secrets, but the treasure behind the first door was a delicious bite-sized chocolate shortbread. There are also more samples of The Republic of Teas' Bridgerton blends.

But, Dear Readers, this is not the only item of note. There's a whole line of Bridgerton-inspired items for Regency-style entertaining from Williams Sonoma including tea, tonics, sweets and linens. (Surely something to please any ton-fans on your holiday gift list - even if it's "on its way".)

To see our "Bridgerton Tea Time Tales" reveal, se our latest BTS video on YouTube:  Bridgerton treats from Williams Sonoma and BTS' Bridgerton-inspired tea talk (New for 2024!) (youtube.com)

Edinburgh's Prestonfield: A 17th century home-turned-hotel, with royal connections, hosts a most elegant afternoon tea!

Afternoon tea at Edinburgh's Prestonfield

Prestonfield House, a luxury hotel and restaurant, is a short drive from downtown Edinburgh, but feels miles away from the clamor and congestion of the city.  A sumptuous and elegant oasis that offers not only posh accommodations, but an incredible afternoon tea experience.

Afternoon tea fare included haggis croquets and pumpkin cheesecake

We - my husband, Chris, and I, along with our favorite NYC couple, Matt and Jenna - enjoyed afternoon tea at Prestonfield this past October. From the moment we entered the front door to our final walk around the grounds, we loved every minute of this grand venue:  the rich interiors, excellent customer service, tasty and artfully created tea fare and the well-manicured gardens, along with the resident kitty who charms and oversees all.

Afternoon tea sweets included chocolate tarts and carrot cake and citrus marscapone

After a somewhat harrowing and daunting public parking search near Edinburgh Castle, our frazzled state was quickly put to rest by the Prestonfield staff. We were escorted to the second level for our tea and seated in crimson-colored, velvety sofas in a room accented in golds and reds. The ceilings are high and trimmed with sculpted designs. Even before the tea was served, we were enjoying dining like royals. Which is not surprising, considering past guests.  Queen Elizabeth visited Prestonfield as part of her 80th birthday celebration.

And the royal connection doesn't end there. The Prestonfield home, designed by the King's architect, Sir William Bruce,  was originally built for the Provost of Edinburgh, Sir James Dick, in 1687. Bruce who also designed Holyrood Palace. Prestonfield remained in the family until 1958 when it became a hotel. Forty-five years later, in 2023, it was purchased by Edinburgh restauranteur, James Thomson, who spent two decades restoring it to is current rich and sumptuous decor. 

Our waiter told us that James Thomson worked at Prestonfield early in his restaurant career and fulfilled his dream of owning this beautiful estate.

Beautiful presentation on 3-tiered tray

Tea served in silver teapots

Because we were in town in the fall, Prestonfield's seasonal tea was "Autumn Harvest". The three-tiered trays were filled with savories such as haggis croquets and "savory pumpkin cheesecake" and sweets that included carrot cake and citrus mascarpone along with a clementine chocolate tart. In addition, four different finger-sandwiches were served as well as plain and fruit buttermilk scones, accompanied by clotted cream and raspberry jam.

High celings with sculpted patters

Queen Elizabeth here for her 80th

The tea was finely brewed (I ordered the Earl Grey Blue Flower which was delicious) and served in silver teapots.  Appropriate of the setting and service, we indulged in a "royal afternoon tea", adding a glass of champagne to our sweets and savories.

A moment on the fainting couch, taking it all in

After my brief recline on the fainting couch nearby, our party walked the grounds for a bit of exercise and to soak in the picturesque gardens. 

On the grounds, Jenna, Chris and kitty

Prestonfield's entrance, instantly welcoming

We  hope to be back soon! In the meantime, please enjoy our short video, taken "live" during afternoon tea at Prestonfield.  Click the link and see our most recent "short": Barb's Tea Service - YouTube

 

How do the royals eat bananas? Finessing "finger foods" and other dining etiquette tips with the help of the Queen, Seinfeld's Mr. Pitt and BTS

Which foods require knife and fork? Let BTS' Twelve Etiquette Essentials assist!

The holidays are upon us and among the season's activities that often come with as much delight as angst are festive dinners and gift shopping. We at Barb's Tea Service, along with royal experts and Mr. Pitt, are here to offer a little assistance.

First, the festive feast etiquette:

At a fancy dinner party one may be daunted by what foods are considered "finger foods" and which require utensils.  

Barb's Tea Service's "Twelve Etiquette Essentials:  Formal Dining and Tea Time" devotes an entire chapter to the subject.

Twelve Etiquette Essentials has a chapter on finger foods (or utensils).

We were reminded of how one approaches "finger foods" vs "knife and fork required" earlier this month when a video resurfaced of etiquette professional, Robert Hanson, demonstrating how the Queen would eat a banana. 

Shocking to some, the Queen did not peel back the banana skin with her hands!

To eat a banana, the Royals start with cutting the ends with a knife

The video shows Robert H. slicing each end of the yellow fruit with the aid of a knife and fork. The banana is then turned on its side and the knife slices through the skin lengthwise. This exposes the edible center of the fruit that can be further cut into bit-sized pieces.

After the ends are cut off, turn the fruit over and slice the skin 

It is an interesting approach to nibbling on banana. Certainly it adds a bit more decorum to this task than peeling the skin back and allowing it to dangle incrementally with each additional bite.

But, is this just a bit too formal for a fruit so well-engineered by nature that it comes with its own biodegradable container? 

Snickers:  Mr. Pitt does not view as a "finger food".

Perhaps. But, then, I turn to Mr. Pitt, Elaine's eccentric boss from Seinfeld. At first, his unconventional method of eating a Snickers bar leaves onlookers incredulous.  Like the Queen's banana, he, too, opts for a knife and fork over thumb and fingers. However, George sees the rationale - maybe Mr. Pitt doesn't like getting chocolate on his fingers.  George gets on board with the "Mr. Pitt method" which sparks a temporary trend in the city of eating traditional finger foods, like cookies and doughnuts, with utensils.

Using a knife and fork on a Snickers bar eliminates a chocolate mess.

In the bell-shaped curve of formal dining etiquette, I think we've identified a few outliers (monarchs and fictional eccentrics), but most common-sense protocol lies in the middle. That's not to say, it's always easy to figure out what foods really require utensils.

That's where BTS' Twelve Etiquette Essentials:  Formal Dining and Tea Time comes to assist. And, bonus(!), it covers not only guidelines for finger foods, but proper protocol for business dinners and afternoon tea. Additionally, it instructs on how to set a formal table and the proper way one gives and receives a toast. All of these are even more in play during the holiday season.

Twelve Etiquette Essentials:  Formal Dining and Tea Time is here to help with navigating those sometimes tricky dining situations.

Barb's Tea Service's Twelve Etiquette Essentials available on Amazon

Now to the shopping assistance. . . 

 We're also here to help for some last minute stocking stuffers! BTS's Twelve Etiquette Essentials:  Formal Dining and Tea Time is available for purchase at Amazon.com. Follow the link for purchase.

See our BTS video demonstrating how to eat both a banana and a Snickers bar with the aid of a knife and fork:  BTS presents: What are "finger foods": How the Royals eat bananas and more! (youtube.com)

 

A Jane Austen Christmas: Barb's Tea Service presents an "Austentacious" tea talk (sold out!) at Troy Historic Village

Barb and Pam (BTS) at Troy Historic Village

This week Barb's Tea Service presented "A Jane Austen Christmas" at Troy Historic Village - a most appropriate time to celebrate as our tea talk took place just two days before Jane's birthday and less than a fortnight before Christmas.

Sold-out evnt (Patti, the best fitness guide, entering far left)

A sold-out event held at the Troy Historic Village's church, we were thrilled to see so many guests, including dear friends (a shout out to Clay, Patti, Rosemary and Mary Ann H.!) and a great deal of new ones.

Beautiful Austen quilt reproduction

Susan L., quilter extraordinaire

New to our Jane Austen tea talks are the homes and special places of the Austen family in Bath (sharing our most recent visit to Sydney Place and the Pump Room). 

Daughter (and BTS member) Rachel at Chawton

Austen quilt at Chawton

We also talked about our visit to Chawton Cottage, which is home to some of the Austen treasures, including a quilt that was sewn by Jane, her sister, Cassandra and their mother. A reproduction of the quilt, made by one of the Troy Historic Village volunteers, Susan Lindsay, was on display. It is absolutely beautiful and truly captured the craftsmanship of the original.

Pam checking the guest list

While we discussed some of the holiday traditions of the Regency period including trifles and bullet pudding, BTS team member, Pam, assisted with set-up, tear down and checking guests in.

Barb with Mary Ann H. (middle) and friend

Troy Historic Village served up tea and sweet treats for the event.

Hot cups of tea and treats served up at THV.

Much felicity experienced this week at Troy Historic Village! 

Special thanks to Stephanie and Tom!

A special thank you to Stephanie Arwady for the invitation to return to this wonderful village (and, Tom, too for all the help in setting up  😊).

Wishing you a joyous holiday season, filled with fun festivities and, perhaps even, a tasty trifle or two.

Tea Tasting, Tea History and Tea Etiquette: Barb's Tea Service presents at Chesterfield Township Library!

Barb's Tea Service presents tea talk & tea tasting at Chesterfield Township Library

 

Barb's Tea Service presented a tea talk and tea tasting at Chesterfield Township Library this week - an event where things "heated up" quickly with a sampling of Earl Grey, but eventually "cooled down" with chilled matcha lattes. 

Three different teas were sampled and a choice of herbals to take home

The Chesterfield Township Library meeting room was filled with maximum capacity this past Wednesday and the group of guests were absolutely delightful. From sharing their own tea experiences to wanting to assist with set up and tear down, these attendees were amazing.

It was wonderful to meet new tea friends and see "old" tea friends as well.

"Old" friends, Patti and Kimi, attended the tea talk/tea tasting event

While I covered tea topics that included history and etiquette, BTS team member, Pam B., brewed and served three different types of tea. On our tasting menu:  Earl Grey, Sencha and Matcha.  To wrap up on a caffeine-free note, each guest was asked to select up to two herbal teas to take home.

We had a wonderful tea time at Chesterfield Township Library

Many attendees brought their own teacups and, as is typically the case, they hold engaging stories of their own. Some cups were delicate bone china handed down from grandmothers, others were of the super-sized variety for daily tea consumption. (We have quite a few of both kinds in our own cupboards!)

A delightful evening of tea at the Chesterfield Township Library meeting/tea room. A special thanks to Adult Services Librarian, Amber Johnson, for extending the invitation to us earlier this year.  

A grand holiday celebration: Christmas trees and other festive family traditions in Grand Rapids

Christmas tree traditions grew in Victorian England

The holiday season is upon us! 

While we're in the midst of the flurry of activity that accompanies it, including the decorating, baking and shopping, it's a treat to take some time out and learn more about the traditions we follow as well as those from other cultures and countries. And, that's exactly what we did last week at Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Sistahs at Frederik Meijer Garden

Joined by my beautiful and fun-loving cousins, (together we are "The Sistahs"), we spent the afternoon at the Meijer Gardens' "Christmas and Holiday Traditions" exhibit to not only be inspired, but walk away with greater appreciation for the history of our Christmas customs as well as how others celebrate the season. 

Holiday traditions include menorahs for Hanukkah that celebrate the Festival of Lights

There are currently forty-two different displays at Meijer Gardens, comprised mostly of Christmas trees decorated to represent the traditions of several countries. But, there are also exhibits dedicated to Hanukkah, Diwali, and Kwanzaa. 

India's Diwali celebrations include designs made of sand

Many of the trees tell the origin stories of how different countries celebrate Christmas. Germany was the first country to produce glass ornaments in the mid-19th century, soaring in popularity beyond its borders when an illustration of Queen Victoria's tree, decorated with those festive adornments from her husband's home country, was published in a London newspaper.

U.S. trees after WW II featured mass-produced glass ornaments.

Prior to World War II, most of the hand-made glass ornaments on U.S. trees came from Germany. But post-war, several American manufactures began to mass-produce reproductions of these glass balls adding a variety of colors and recessed medallions.  This tree reminded me of the ones we had in our home when I was little, and, along with my three older brothers, it represented not only the excitement of the holidays, but the anticipation the gift-wrapped toys that would soon be underneath its branches. 

Swedish ornaments made from straw

Finnish trees with carved wood decor 

Unlike the glittery baubles from Germany, Sweden and Finland's first tree ornaments were made of natural materials, the former created from straw and the latter, strips of wood, glued together to form intricate patterns and shapes.

Another country that created decorations from straw, called "sodai", is Lithuania. Sodai translates to "garden", but also "chandelier".  Hanging a straw mobile over the dining room table was meant to ensure good crops for the following year. 

Lithuanian trees also have straw ornaments.

The Austrian tree was special for a few reasons. It honors the many great musicians from the country (e.g., Mozart and Schubert) as well as the little white chapel where "Silent Night" was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818.  It also meant a lot on a personal level. Back in 2021, Chris, and I were in Austria with my brother and sister-in-law, as well as one of my "Sistahs" and her husband. 

Austrian tree a tribute to great composers. We visited Austria with family in 2021. 

As our self-guided tour continued, we learned at the Netherlands exhibit that the Christmas tree is central to the Dutch family tradition, which includes telling stories and singing Christmas carols. This particular tree was decorated with Delftware, a blue and white porcelain developed in Holland in the mid-16th century.

Holland tree with Delftware.

France display features "santons".

Not all countries, however, were represented with a tree. The holiday display for France featured "santons" or "little saints". These small figurines, which started back in the early 1800's, were made to represent villagers from the countryside who brought gifts to the manger. 

Beautiful Iceland tree - but watch out for the Yultide Lads.

Aside from decorated trees, a common theme in many of the countries' Christmas traditions was the depositing of treats in children's shoes. In Iceland, the mischievous sons of trolls, "Yuletide Lads", leave gifts in tiny tot's footwear.  (If one misbehaved, one might find a potato in one's shoe.)

The Sistahs enaging in their own holiday traditions, including festive feasts.

After our afternoon at the Frederik Meijer Gardens, it was time to engage in our own Sistahs' Holiday Traditions. We enjoyed a few festive feasts together topped off with our annual gift exchange. It was filled with the magic of the season. And, I'm happy to report, the only potatoes we received were delicious and on our plates.  

 

No potatoes in these bags!

Sticky Toffee Pudding, Part II: Delicious, but messy, recipe and (a new necessity?) the English Pudding Basin

 

Despite the mess and a few miscalculations, our pudding was tasty!

The three words that we love to hear:  sticky toffee pudding. 

Now we can add another three words we may need to become more familiar with: English pudding basin.

As noted in our last blog, "Sticky Toffee Pudding, Part I", we were introduced to this tantalizing toffee concoction during our trip to the UK in October.   Once a curiosity, now a passion, we wanted to create some of this sweet, syrupy sensation at home.  While perusing recipes on-line, a couple of familiar names popped up:  Darren McCrady, The Royal Chef and Kate Middleton. The former provides the recipes and, as for the latter, we learned, via The Royal Chef, that sticky toffee pudding is Kate's favorite holiday dessert.

With the Royal Chef in 2013

Great recipes in Eating Royally

I've met Darren McGrady, interviewing him when he came to Michigan back in 2013, and I have his first cookbook, Eating Royally. Unfortunately, the toffee pudding recipe is in a subsequent tome not in my possession, but, most conveniently, different versions are replicated in numerous places on-line. I chose one that had the less exotic ingredients (e.g.,dark brown sugar instead of Muscovado sugar) and looked the least complicated  (Sticky Toffee Pudding, Darren McCrady, via PureWow).

Setting out ingredients, swapping dark brown sugar for Muscovado

That is until I read the instructions to put a portion of the sauce into an English pudding basin. 

Our kitchen is fairly well outfitted with various-sized pans and baking dishes (my husband, Chris, is the gourmet cook in the family), but it is void of any pudding basin, English or otherwise. The recommended substitute was a one-quart casserole. But was something lost in English-to-American pudding containers? The dish we had on hand seemed a bit small for the task (and, I do recall Chris saying - you can't go wrong going with a size up), but against all intuition and consultation, I chose the one-quart casserole.

Committing to the tiny dish

Is this mixture in need of a pudding basin?

I poured the sauce, into the "replacement basin", reserving some for the final topping.

Then I made the pudding - mixing up the remaining ingredients, ladling it all into the small casserole dish and covering the dish with parchment paper and aluminum foil. I set the oven to 350 degrees, my timer to thirty minutes and took a break.

Ready for the oven, but neither parchment nor foil could contain the pudding

After that half hour interval, I learned, to paraphrase the famous quote from the movie, "Jaws", that I was going to need a bigger bowl.

Much of the pudding batter had spilled out into the oven and, aside from the mess, it took another half hour of baking before I could stick a knife in the middle and bring it out clean. 

Aside from the excessive spillage and the need to overcook the pudding, it didn't turn out bad at all. While it was still warm, I scooped a few cups into a bowl, and topped with remaining sauce and homemade whipped cream (which I executed flawlessly, may I add!).

Pouring sauce over pudding

Messy and overcooked, but still "yum"

See our video on YouTube to see the final results:  Sticky Toffee Pudding! - YouTube

Sticky Toffee Pudding Post Mortem:

Since this baking challenge, I have found a few items to aid in my defense of not quite" sticking the landing" of my first sticky toffee pudding.

From the BBC Travel article, "The contentious origins of England's famous pudding", it informs us that, "perfecting the recipe isn't something you pick up overnight".

Comforting words to repeat while scrubbing out a layer of baked-on pudding from the bottom of the oven.

And, what about the English pudding basin? Is there more to that story? Or, more precisely, more to the English pudding basin?

According to Cooks Info,  I offer the following evidence to support my case:

"Pudding basins have caused something of a problem with regard to their size - a bit of confusion that needs to be unravelled. . .if puddings, savoury or sweet, are something you plan on adding to your bag of cooking tricks, it can be useful to have a few sizes."

Well, perhaps that's not the "smoking gun" to explain the "sticky pudding knife", but it is a cautionary tale for those who of us who plan to add more puddings to our "cooking tricks".  

To continue our sticky toffee pudding endeavors, we agree, practice makes perfect. But whether to use a casserole dish or basin is still up for debate. In any event, one thing we are most certain of, the proof will be in the pudding!

For more on Barb's Tea Service tea talks and other events, see:  Barb's Tea Service (barbsteaservice.com)