Celebrating National Cream Tea Day: More twists and turns and delicious controversy!

Celebrating National Cream Tea Day!

It's National Cream Tea Day and we're celebrating tea time with scones, cream and TeaTime while serving up a few twists and turns to this traditional British repast.

Today marks the tenth anniversary of National Cream Tea Day, a holiday, per National Today, established by Rodda's and Tiptree, cream and jam merchants, respectively, who use this day not only to highlight the tea time break, but to support charitable events as well.

A Cream Tea is an English staple, dating back to the mid-19th century. It's a trimmed down variation of an afternoon tea consisting of simply tea and scones with clotted cream and/or jam.

As delicious and satisfying as a Cream Tea may be, it is not without controversy, as we at Barb's Tea Service have reported on in the past. In our blog on National Cream Tea Day Eve in 2020, we noted an incident in Cornwall that sparked "Sconegate".  (See, Do you serve cream or jam first:  the story behind 'Sconegate')

Sconegate caused tensions between the folks of Cornwall, whose preferred scone-topping-order is jam, then cream and the citizens of Devon who stand strong behind cream then jam. 

National Cream Day tea fare:  tea, scones and clotted cream. Clotted cream varies in US and UK

The dust may have settled on that scandal, but where do Brits stand currently on scone toppings?

According to today's Cornish Times, a recent study revealed that 44 percent of English citizens prefer jam first, whilst 32 percent favor clotted cream. 

While those preferences have been debated for, perhaps, too long, emerging trends are surfacing. New generations are seeking non-traditional accompaniments to their cream tea scone including cinnamon, sugar, apple slices and lemon curd. Even savory options have become popular such as smoked salmon and cream cheese as well as sweet chili jam with cheddar cheese. Two thirds of Brits are on board with these twists on Cream Tea, with Gen-Z and Millennials paving the way.

 Perfect for National Cream Tea Day or any day! TeaTime Magazine. July/Aug issue now available.

Despite all the uproar and topping trends, we're enjoying a traditional Cream Tea with scones with clotted cream - although the drama may not quite be over. As we discussed in a recent Barb's Tea Service Podcast, the clotted cream available in the U.S. is not quite the same as what one can enjoy in England. (For that controversy clarification, see BTS Podcast 11, Sneak Preview on Barb's Tea Service YouTube Channel  Barb's Tea Service Podcast11 Sneak Preview: Sisi & CCC, Clotted Cream Controversy Clarification! (youtube.com)

However you celebrate Cream Tea Day, no matter the order of your cream and jam, the type of cream or maybe no cream at all (!), we raise our tea cup to taking a delightfully delicious tea and scone break  and pairing it with the latest issue of TeaTime - something we can all agree on!

Southern-themed Afternoon Tea: Biscuits, Grit Cakes and Pimento Cheese savories

Southern heritage of Rosemary and Pam inspired this afternoon tea.

An afternoon tea that went south - in the best way possible!

With a nod to Southern heritage, this tea replaced scones with biscuits and grits, added pimento cheese sandwiches to the savories and sweets included buttermilk pie and Jimmy Carter custard. It was down-home deliciousness accompanied by gracious hospitality. 

Afternoon tea table with sweets and savories from the South/

This themed tea started with friend and BTS team member, Pam B., who, taking inspiration from her Southern roots (growing up in New Orleans and Atlanta), reimagined a menu that would swap common afternoon tea staples with traditional foods from her home states.  When Pam combined forces with fellow culinary comrade and party hostess extraordinaire, Rosemary C., who spent summers in Arkansas where her maternal grandparents resided, it wasn't long before the Southern-themed afternoon tea went from concept-to-table.  

And, what a table!

Our hostess provided guests with two napkins.

Befitting such rich tea fare, Rosemary, decked out her dining room table in family heirlooms including delicate floral-patterned china and monogrammed silverware along with some lovingly donated teacups and pretty linens of unknown origin (a funny drycleaner mix-up that left our hostess with an extra-long tablecloth, now cut to fit with a bonus set of matching napkins).

Barb with Rosemary, afternoon tea hostess extraordinaire.

Each guest received two napkins:  a customary one for the lap and an optional cloth to be tucked in at the collar. A welcomed choice, especially when wearing lighter colors.

Rosemary and Pam, along with Rosemary's sister Charlene, created all the Southern dishes. In addition to the items noted above, other savories included peach bruschetta and asparagus and cucumber sandwiches. The other sweet, with the misleading name, "sad cake", rounded out the dessert course. (Per Rosemary, the name of the cake comes from the manner in which it bakes, rising than "falling", appearing deflated. Despite its name, it will make your guests happy.)

Grit cakes and biscuits replaced scones

Jimmy Carter custard, one of the sweets

My contribution was tea and a tea etiquette talk (sparing guests from any of my literally "sad" baking skills). And, although, my proper tea time instructions came towards the end of the meal, I observed no tea faux pas. However, a few guests confessed to committing an etiquette infraction. (But we saw nothing egregious, and no citations were issued. 😉) 

A cup of tea shared with friends, so special.

Along with cooking and tablescaping, Rosemary assembled a most wonderful group of ladies, contributing to a most fun and festive afternoon - perhaps best summed up by the words scrolled on a flower vase in Rosemary's kitchen:  "A cup of tea, a prayer or two, special moments, shared with you."

Tea menu alongside family china and monogramed silverware.

The Southern-themed Afternoon Tea was incredible and inspirational. I see more twists on traditional tea times trending. As we are fond of saying at Barb's Tea Service, stay tuned!

Great tea, Great Lake: Afternoon Tea at the Inn at Bay Harbor:

Afternoon tea at the Inn at Bay Harbor

Although it's less than thirty years old, the Inn at Bay Harbor, located in Petoskey on the scenic shores of Lake Michigan, captures the elegance of century-old grand hotels with its expansive starch-white exterior, crystal chandeliered lobby and, the icing on the cake - or as we like to say at Barb's Tea Service, the clotted cream on the scone - their daily offering of afternoon tea. We visited the resort this week and found the tea service to be excellent, a perfect fit in this fashionable resort.  

Our tea guide and server extraordinaire, Xaina, 

The afternoon tea experience starts with an enthusiastic greeting. My friend, Loretta, and I were welcomed on the first floor and escorted to the tea dining area, a cozy corner overlooking the hotel lobby. Here we were introduced to Xaina, our exuberant tea guide and server extraordinaire. She showed us to our table and left us with the tea menu to look over.

Tray of loose teas and tisanes to assist in the afternoon's selection.

Xaina was back shortly with a tray of the loose leaf teas which included Earl Grey, rooibos, jasmine green, white and a rose herbal tea. There was also a special tea of the month, "Lady Lavender". With Xaina's encouragement, we examined and sniffed the teas and tisanes, finally making our selections - a pot of earl grey and a pot of rooibos. 

Three tiered tray filled with dleicous scones, sweets and savories.

Following our pots of tea, which were replenished before we knew we were running low, Xaina brought out the three tiered tray filled with a unique twist of the traditional afternoon tea fare.  Along with the de rigueur cucumber sandwiches, other savories included egg salad, cheese and tomato and salmon on a round croissant-like roll - all generous in size and delicious.  

The tearoom is a bright and pretty corner of the Inn overlooking the hotel's lobby.

The scones, the quintessential afternoon tea delight, were on their rightful place on the second tier. Two scones per person, one plain and one berry, were very tasty and served alongside honey, jam and clotted cream.

Place setting includes linen napkin roses inside a teacup.

To literally top off the menu, the sweets were amazing - miniature masterpieces that were absolutely scrumptious. Among the bite-sized desserts were a lemon pastry, a chocolate torte, a citrusy mousse in a molded chocolate cup, a macaroon, baklava and fresh strawberries.

Inn at Bay Harbor captures vintage charm

On the Lake Michigan shoreline, scenic patio views

And, although this tearoom doesn't have views of the bay, it's a lovely place for tea. The space is  bright and open and furnished in a contemporary chic decor. All tables are topped with white linen cloths and accompanied by comfy plush chairs in pink and blue hues with gold trim.  Fresh flower bouquets are on every table and a white linen rose-shaped napkin is presented in a teacup at every place setting. 

Scones are served with honey, clotted cream and jam

We selected a warm Monday afternoon to enjoy our tea and neither the lobby nor tea room was crowded or noisy. At a nearby table, a young girl, outfitted like a princess complete with silver sandals, was taking in the "Children's Tea" option accompanied by her grandmother.

In addition to the "kid friendly" menu, certain dietary restrictions can be accommodated (see their website for more). One may also add a glass of prosecco, rose or a mimosa to the tea.

We'll be back to the Inn at Bay Harbor for the patio picture postcard lake views, sandy beach, well-appointed interiors and - the clotted cream, honey, and jam on the scone - afternoon tea! 

Afternoon tea is served daily at the Inn at Bay Harbor, reservations required. For more information, see check out the Inn at Bay Harbor website:  Inn at Bay Harbor, Autograph Collection | On Lake Michigan in Bay Harbor, Michigan

 

What Matters in Bridgerton? One of our favorite English Professors advises!

Rachel with John Mullan at the Jane Austen festival. Mullan is a consultant to Bridgerton.

 

This week, the second half of Bridgerton Season Three aired and we couldn't wait to see the resolution of the Colin and Penelope (aka "Polin") romance drama. Set in England's Regency period, the story of Polin is Cinderella-like with a few twists:  at the core, an overlooked young woman who dares to dream of attracting one of the most eligible men in town.  However, in place of soot-covered rags, Penelope's true identity is hidden under garish orange-hued dresses, chosen by her mother, that compliment neither her figure or coloring. Further, her salvation is not a fairy godmother, but her own self-discovery as a fashion forward female and very clever writer.  After years of blending in, Penelope's emerging talents catch the appreciative eye of Colin and marriage is soon proposed.

While Bridgerton story lines are a bit of fun fantasy, one may wonder how true the series is to the real Regency era?  Aside from the obvious features that employ an artistic license such as the convenient climate conditions where little rain falls in a normally soggy London as well as the reimagined high society where the "ton" is comprised of a diverse population, there are many credited fact-checkers employed by Bridgerton producers to bring authenticity to the show. Among the many consultants is an old acquaintance of Barb's Tea Service, author and professor, John Mullan.

 

"What Matters in Jane Austen?' by John Mullan pairs nicely with Bridgerton tea time.

We met John Mullan at the 7th Annual Jane Austen Festival in Louisville, Kentucky. Pre quarantine times, my daughter and BTS co-owner, Rachel and I made a yearly trek to this grand event hosted by the local chapter of JASNA (Jane Austen Society, North America) and this particular festival was one of the best.  It featured two English professors from England:  John Mullan and Jo Baker. The former is the author of one of our favorite JA books, "What Matters in Austen?"  The answer to that question is (*not so much spoiler alert*). . . everything!

Mullan presenting, both animated and engaging.

As we described Mullan back in 2014, he was both "animated and engaging. . .   [as he]  rattles off Austen character names (major and minor), destinations they have visited (specified or inferred) and weather conditions of the day, like a favorite uncle who can recite details of the family's history and connections - from first cousins to fifth - all from memory."

So, it was not a big surprise to read an article this week in the New York Times that John Mullan, of the University College London, is a dialogue consultant for Bridgerton. Per the NYT, Mullan reviews each script and makes suggestions, to "Regency-ify" the speech. 

Most of his notes are accepted, except, as showrunner Jess Brownwell explains, ". . .when it would take 10 Regency words to replace one modern one. . . it's just not worth it."

Bridgerton producers also employ historians from Mullan's university:  in the past, Hannah Grieg and, currently, Amanda Vickery. They, too, understand the assignment. Bridgerton is not a documentary, but as Vickery points out, it's "a fantasy that's grounded in an understanding of the period."  They advise on  anachronisms (say, for example, inserting a bit of technology that had yet to be discovered in Regency-times) and serve, per Grieg, as the "on-call geek". Both historians agree that armed with all this information, Bridgerton "makes choices, not mistakes".

We love a happy ending!

What, then, matters in Bridgerton? The fun, the fashion, the fantasy, the unmistakable choices and, most assuredly, dear readers, a happy ending! 💖💖

Tuesday Tea and Tomes: Waugh - and Brideshead - Revisited

Revisiting "Brideshead" and other Eveyln Waugh novels.

On my long list of books to read, "Brideshead Revisited" had sat for a long time. Authored by English writer, Evelyn Waugh, I was familiar with the era of the story  (1920 - 1940), and with a renewed interest in British aristocracy inspired by Downton Abbey and Bridgerton (and a bit of quarantine thrown in), I moved "Brideshead Revisited" to the top of the list a few years ago. My brother, Ed, has long been a fan of Waugh and decades before Downton Abbey or Amazon hit the scene, he had purchased a series of the British author's books at a local bookstore.  When I asked if I could borrow "Brideshead Revisited", he packaged up his entire collection for my reading pleasure.  

After receiving them, I dove into "Brideshead Revisited" and, although it's a compelling story, it is not the feelgood drama of Downton Abbey. The characters lead sometimes shallow and often very sad, aimless lives. The mix of scandal, religion, and that strange code of the Aristocracy are elements that both guide and repel friends and family of the inhabitants of Brideshead Castle, the ancestral home of the eccentric Flytes. 

Last month's reading:  "Scoop" is a favorite.

Over two years have passed since my first Waugh encounter and I decided it was time to revisit this author and his other works. I wasn't sure if let my own preconceived notions about what "Brideshead Revisited" was about somewhat color my opinion. 

So, last month, I read three more of Waugh's novels:  "A Handful of Dust", "The Loved One" and "Scoop".  I like them all, but the latter was my favorite so far.  It combines the confusion of mixed identities with unforeseen opportunities that brought to mind a "Being There " kind of tale. Like the simple gardener who stumbles into high society, John and William Boot's lives intersect at just the right (or wrong, depending on where you stand) time and a series of misguided adventures bring them notoriety they neither sought nor expected. 

Last fall, at Harewood House in Yorkshire, a forty minute drive from Castle Howard (Brideshead).

"A Handful of Dust", like "Brideshead Revisited" puts a spotlight on the British aristocracy with their endless parties and acceptable lapses of morality. But, also, like "Scoop", there are characters who, without much planning or focus are curiously rewarded or devastatingly punished. 

"The Loved One" is a quirky story of old and new Hollywood intertwined with two highly regarded places of interment, one for humans and one for pets.  This is said to have been written by Waugh after a trip to California when he was invited by movie studios interested in the rights for "Brideshead Revisited".  Waugh hadn't planned on any serious negotiations, but took advantage of the free trip to enjoy the sites, one of which was Forest Lawn, the famous southern California cemetery and inspiration for "The Loved One".

Three more to go from my brother's collection.

Now I'm ready for more. I've joined my brother in his appreciation of Evelyn Waugh's works (thanks, Ed!) and aside from the three unread books left, I'm even planning to revisit "Brideshead Revisited" -  both book and film adaptations. 

Episodes of the 1981 version of "Brideshead Revisited",  as well as the 2008 movie, used Castle Howard in Yorkshire, as the Flyte family estate. And, dear readers, the Flytes are not the only fictional aristocratic family to reside there. Castle Howard also served as Clyvedon Castle, the Duke's ancestral home in Bridgerton.  (It seems all aristocrats are connected - real or not).

In Yorkshire last fall. We need to revisit!

Bridgerton - ties to Brideshead film sites

We were in Yorkshire last Fall touring another great country estate, Harewood House where a few scenes of the first Downton Abbey movie were filmed. I believe while getting reacquainted with Brideshead, we also need to revisit Yorkshire and continue our English authors journey. 

 

Back to the Pink House Tearoom: Inviting patio and new additions ready for the summer!

 

Owners/managers of Pink House, Jennifer C. and son, Rex (aka "Tea Rex") on the tearoom's patio.

Our last visit to the Pink House tearoom was in November (BTS blog Pink House tearoom) on a seasonably warm and sunny day for Michigan, but not quite time for the patio. Last week, we were back to see what's new at the New Baltimore venue, including their summer-time outdoor space.

Pink House tearoom in New Baltimore

Views of Lake St. Clair's Anchor Bay

After our last Barbs Tea Service podcast recording session, my husband, co-host and "arm candy", Chris, and I took advantage of a beautiful late Spring afternoon and drove up to Lake St. Clair's Anchor Bay, where the Pink House resides.  Here we met up with owners/managers Jennifer C. and her son, Rex. They were outside on the tearoom's patio and before Chris and I parked ourselves at the front counter for lunch, we caught up with Jennifer and Rex (also known as "Tea Rex") on the latest goings-on at the Pink House. Turns out, there's quite a bit!

Chris strolls past the other end of the Pink House's outdoor space, a great place for tea and sunsets.

Now, fully staffed for both indoor and outdoor service, the Pink House is serving tea and adult beverages on their pretty outdoor space, furnished with umbrellaed white and black wrought iron tables with matching chairs.  Situated across the street from Anchor Bay, peekaboo views of the lake can be enjoyed on the patio while taking in a delicious repast. Per Rex, plans for extended summer hours are in the works, so guests may also soak in late evening sunsets. 

Front lobby greets visitors.

Lobby also has counter service.

Other new features of the Pink House include an additional room for dining. Just around the corner from the front lobby and bar, towards the back of the house, a charming space, with an open staircase to the second level, has just been restored. Jennifer took us on a tour of the renovated area and while it's almost complete and ready for guests, she is still looking for just the right finishing touches before seating is available.

Newly renovated dining space - almost ready for guests.

Airbnb accommodations are on the second floor of the Pink House -  a romantic retreat with its own balcony overlooking the lake. (Imagine the sunsets from that vantage point!).

Second floor Airbnb accommodations featuring private balcony.

Although there's a lot of new things at the Pink House, their tradition of delicious menu offerings and tea is, thankfully, still the same. While visiting last week, Chris and I opted for a spot at the bar (they were almost at capacity this busy Friday afternoon, so we thought we'd try the counter seating and found it to be just as comfortable as the more formal areas).

Creamy, flavorful quiche.

Just Delicious scones, take out too!

Chris and I each ordered a quiche, creamy, flavorful and filling, with pots of Earl Grey. And, of course, we purchased a package of "Just Delicious" scones to take home for the weekend.

We're excited for the old and the new at the Pink House tearoom. We'll be back soon and, whether it's for afternoon tea or sunset viewing from the patio, we know we'll, once again, be "tickled pink".

For more on the Pink House and Royal Treat/Just Delicious Scones, see their website:  Just Delicious Scones.

Apres podcast, a visit to the Pink House

Lunch at the counter, as lovely as formal dining.