What is High Tea?
The drinking of tea not only became a social event
for the upper classes, it altered the time and manner in which they took tea.
Afternoon Tea became the bridge between meals because many wouldn't eat their
evening meal until maybe 8pm. As such, Afternoon Tea became a 'mini meal' in
itself.
This was all well and good for the upper classes,
but the working classes ran to a different schedule and a different budget. Tea
was still quite expensive at the time and the working classes could not afford
to waste it on anything other than necessities. A wearied factory worker
wouldn't arrive home until six in the evening, and when he did, he was
famished! Thus, in the industrial areas of the UK (northern England and
southern Scotland), the working classes evening meal evolved: high tea.
Why is it called 'high tea'?
A possible explanation why this type of meal was
called high tea is the fact that it was eaten at a table. In comparison,
Afternoon Tea was taken whilst seating in low, comfortable chairs or sofas. Of
course, soon after, the upper classes developed their own variation and also
called it 'high tea'. It was a meal that could be eaten when their servants
were away or not available, as it was so easy to prepare. The upper class 'high
tea' involved the amalgamation of Afternoon Tea and high tea, with the addition
of pigeon, veal, salmon and fruit.
It is important to add that the Afternoon Tea menu
served in the UK today is often refered to as high tea in many other parts of
the world. Because of this some hotels, such as The Ritz in London, use the
term 'High tea in London' to advertise their Afternoon Tea because a large
proportion of their customers are from overseas.
Some venues do serve a special high tea menu, in
addition to Afternoon Tea, which includes additional savoury items such as
Welsh Rarebit, English muffins, pies or omelette.
....... lift off from the Net.
We were invited to witness the display of the newly launched Bespoke Catering Services from the House of SELECT - yes the same owners of the Super Saket wala Select Mall ... Mr Arjun Sharma . Select ED is head by Ishaan Sarkar as the CEO , Curated by Diector Culinaire Gaurav Mathur and yes supported by a awesome team of Chefs and Managers.
The High Tea was curated and displayed at Their Manesar Property Heritage Village . While i want you to just enjoy the pictures and droool .. I would like to put my personal thoughts on what a High tea is expected to be and what it actually was . In india as per us desi people high tea is a after work heavy meal between 5- 7 pm - usually witnessed at Shagans or Engagements or at Conferences .. and most it comprises of Sandwiches , chola bhatura, pakode , jalebi , chaat papri ,bhel puri , pastry from the local guy , and garam garam chai or fizz wali coffee .. thas it ... Well select Ed has certainly done a lot of research in what they presented - they mixed the traditional dishes of the high tea with the desi dishes and presented a beautifully curated mid evening of High Tea . They had a perfect mix of Hot and Cold goodies on display and trials ... fantastically presented as you can see from the pictures below .
I personally feel it wil be a hit with the Kitty Party stylish Ladies who like to eat a lot thoda thoda hehehehehehe and The White collared executives who are showing off to their clients in the Propah way . It has has been renames from High Tea to High Treat .
I had a picture of the High Tea i enjoyed at the Ritz London with scones etc etc .... but to my surpise this was different and better . The choices were fantastic and they were not just aesthetically gorgeous but they were great flavoured and well textured dishes .
Please enjoy the High Tea.
Bakers Bricks
The fun of playing with the flour and seeing it rise….
Mediterranean Vegetable Pizza
Peppered Mushroom Calzone
Smoked Lamb and Mint Empanadas
Tea Infused Cup Cakes
Spiced Carrot Madeleines
Apple Chutney Samosa
Coffee Religieuse
Chocolate Cup with Creme Chantilly and Fresh Fruit
Assorted Mini Danishes
Caramelized Lemon Ginger Tart with Mini Meringues
Californian Avacado Pie
Coconut Truffle Pops
Mumbai
The evening at Chowpatty comes alive with hawkers selling
traditional delicacies, a few to offer…
Bhel Puri – Interactive
Kalla Khatta Gola – Interactive
Delhi ka Swaad
Delhi Famous for buzz on the streets with the aroma of
food......
Gol Gappa a’la SelectED -Tabouleh with Fanta and Salsa
Dahi Bhalla
Laccha Tokri Chaat
Cookie & Crunch...
Milk Rusk
Khari
Pistachio Cookies with Chocolate Kisses
Linzer Cookies
Assorted Chikkies
Choco fills Cookie Shake - Interactive
Organic.....
Ouinoa Ki Tikki
Sweet Potato and Oats Galattes
Organic Mixture
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| Gol Guppa a'la SelectEd- Tabouleh with Fanta and Salsa |
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| Dahi Bhalle / Lachha Tokri |
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| Assorted Mini Danish Pastries |
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| Apple CHutney Samosa |
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| Med Veg Pizza,Mushroom Calzone,Smaoked LambEmpanadas |
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| Organic Bhel Puri |
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| The Crew |
Tigers Overall Experience : Well SelectEd has filled a great vacuum in the society ... they have organised the High Tea market in a much better way , they have actually moved away from the Halwai and the local pastry shop , thank god for that . All i requested them to do was to offer more variety of Tea's and Coffee to complete the wonderful experience .
Special thanks to Chef Gaurav Mathur ; CEO Ishaan Sarkar ; GM Gopal Vaideshwaran and the Team of SelectEd for this fantastic High Tea Experience . I like what you say " We organise Bespoke Events to suit every Occasion".
