Afternoon Tea with Downton Abbey - Series 4, Episode 1

As you may know by now (and if you are new to my blog, welcome and you will very soon learn!) I have a rather unhealthy infatuation with afternoon tea, Downton Abbey and with all things well mannered.

And with these passions, I plan to share my thoughts after each episode over the coming weeks with you.

The fourth series of Downton has just hit our screens in the UK and the fans, myself included here, were giddy with excitement at the emotional advert played weeks before the first episode aired (what on earth will happen to Lady Mary now that Cousin Matthew has passed away unexpectedly?!), what else other than terrible "talent" shows do we have to look forward to this autumn?... I rest my case.

Downton Abbey is based on the aristocratic "Crawley" family and their servants in their country estate in Yorkshire, complete with tears and tantrums and the odd death thrown in for good TV viewing, it's stupendously addictive. From the inspiring evening wear and dinner party tables, through to the etiquette and service from the family, staff and their visitors and even the one liners and quips from the Dowager Countess of Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith) that would have anybody chuckling who cared to give it a go.

So to my wafflings on this episode, following the hilarious scene of Mrs Patmore looking more than peeved that she is about to be replaced in the kitchen by this new electrical whisk of which has appeared on her worktop. It wasn't seen as a help, but more a hindrance as she was made to feel that staff, including herself would be replaced with machines... if ONLY she could see us modern day goddesses in the kitchen, she would know she had nothing to fear!

In fact, it got me thinking back to my own childhood and the more basic baking equipment that even I had access to, there were certainly no swish kMixers or microwaves out there when I was whipping up butterfly cakes with my mum.

I used to hate baking with my parents when I was younger, only over recent years have I become obsessed with baking and afternoon tea, believe it or not! The reason I hated the task so much as a child was the instrument of torture (or what I used to think looked like so) in the form of the MANUAL hand whisk - It looked like a dentists drill!

It was a recipe for a dead arm and I could never quite get myself in a posture that allowed for a successful whisking without my entire right side going numb from winding the handle so fast, so I wasn't personally a fan of baking when it was suggested for this very reason!

With that, I am going to share a very indulgent, yet simple recipe that requires hardly any whipping up (any of you out there with old fashioned baking equipment will be happy to note!) for your very own "Downton" inspired afternoon tea:

THE GIGGLE CAKE

Said to be a Cambridgeshire recipe (from the fenlands in fact) and is a boiled fruit cake, but boiled in butter. I told you it was indulgent, but the perfect loaf cake to go with a good strong cup of tea.

350g/12oz/2 cups mixed dried fruit

125g/4oz butter or margarine

175g/6oz/1 cup soft brown sugar

250g/8oz/2 cups self raising flour

Pinch of salt

2 eggs beaten

225g/7.5 can chopped pineapple – drained

125g/4oz glace cherries – halved

Put the mixed dried fruit into a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave to soak for 10-15 minutes the drain well. Put the butter or margarine and sugar into a large saucepan and heat gently until melted. Add the drained mixed dried fruit & cook over low heat, stir frequently for 4-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a mixing bowl, leaving to cool. Sift the flour and salt into the dried fruit mixture and stir well. Add the eggs, mixing until thoroughly incorporated, then add the pineapples and cherries to the cake mixture and stir to combine. Transfer to a greased lined 1kg/2lb loaf tin and level the surface. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degree c/350 degree f/gas mark 4 for about 1 hour. Test the cake with a fine skewer – if it comes out clear the cake is cooked – if not return to the oven for a few more minutes.  

Top 5 Afternoon Tea Hotspots In The Cambridgeshire Countryside

I was recently asked to write a feature for Local Secrets, a fantastic online guide to what's going on in and around Cambridge, the topic being my top 5 afternoon tea spots in the Cambridgeshire countryside. This was a tricky one, as there so many superb venues outside of our City, but I decided to share some of my newer finds throughout this piece and here on the blog I'm also sharing these notes with you, my food & etiquette-loving readers. As we Brits cheer ourselves up during tough economic times with a sweet fix and a brew we've picked five of the best afternoon teas in Cambridgeshire to indulge your taste buds. Dainty finger sandwiches, fluffy scones and mouth-watering profiteroles and raspberry macaroons are being served up alongside loose leaf tea and freshly ground coffee in an abundance of family run tea rooms, trendy hotels and even an old thatched-roof post office. It seems the great British pastime of afternoon tea is having a revival with all budgets and tastes being catered for, be they modern or traditional… Photo by Debbie Wallwork Photography Teacake at Shepreth This pretty little tearoom is situated in an old post office, a grade II listed building complete with thatched roof, making this a perfect setting for a pot of Darjeeling and a big wedge of homemade Victoria Sponge or fruit tea loaf. The wide menu offers a great selection of loose leaf teas and coffees, sandwiches, seasonal cakes, fluffy scones freshly baked every day as well as provisions, such as bread, milk and free-range eggs. Sipping from mismatching china, watch the world go by in a comfortable fireside seat or a cosy al fresco table in the rose garden. Teacake couldn't be more welcoming if it tried. Read my full write up here. The Angel Hotel This trendy four-star hotel in the centre of Bury St Edmunds overlooks the picturesque Abbey Gardens, apparently host to a complex corridor of secret tunnels, running under much of this historic market town. Afternoon tea here is luxurious and needs your full dedication; enjoyed leisurely by the grand fireplace seated in a leather wingback chair, surrounded by cushions. A huge selection of finger sandwiches precedes a warm fruity scone with the usual accoutrements and a grand selection of dainty cakes. Oh the cakes! A perfectly bitter lemon tart, coffee syrup soaked opera cakes, raspberry cupcakes, a chocolate profiterole on steroids with a crispy shell and vanilla crème patissière filling. Mon Dieu! Read my full write up here. Cafe Cou Cou This is a haven for cake lovers visiting Saffron Walden, with row upon row of freshly baked cakes, cookies, sweet or savoury scones, tarts, pies, shortbreads, cheesecakes and traybakes, with the option of eating in or taking away. This is a venue for the ultimate treat, with freshly ground coffees and loose leaf teas on offer there is no excuse not to sit down and enjoy an hour of indulgence. You can smell the freshly baked bread and monstrous scones as you walk through the door each morning, handmade to include plain, fruit or cheese they are truly impossible to resist. Poets House A new boutique hotel situated in a large townhouse in Ely's St Mary's Street, offers a clean and modern feel to proceedings and is an exciting new venue for afternoon tea in this part of the world. Seated in the study overlooking the courtyard, but close enough to the bar should you desire a sweet drink with your afternoon delights, you will be wowed with the colourful display on offer; perfectly symmetrical finger sandwiches with twists on the traditional fillings include cucumber and sour cream, ham and tomato chutney, as well as a choice of scones with jam, clotted cream and the intriguing addition of lemon curd. To finish, you are presented with raspberry macaroons, brownies with chocolate frosting, perfect fruit tartlets and a lavender and vanilla éclair. Luckily this venue is a hop from the cathedral, perfect for a walk to work off some of the calories afterwards. Read my full write up here. Nancy's Vintage Teashop The scent of a lemon sponge fresh out of the oven strikes you as you walk through the door and off the main streets of Newmarket, in readiness to join the long line of drool-inducing cakes adorning the countertop at this fairly new family-run afternoon tea establishment. Sweet treats on their afternoon tea tier include chocolate brownies, blueberry and elderflower trifle, raspberry macaroons, fruit tartlets, perfectly washed down with a glass of Champagne. The loose leaf tea is specially blended for this quaint tearoom, to include blends such as 'Nancy's Majest-tea' and 'Nancy's Naught-tea'. They have a great sense of humour to boot, bringing out the best behaviour in everybody, young and old, with a desire to recapture traditional standards of service in a unique setting. To read this feature in full and other superb features by many local (and very talented writers) then visit the Local Secrets Website by clicking here. And to read more about becoming a well behaved guest or host/ess at your own tea party, visit my etiquette workshops page here. You can also read a longer piece on some of my favourite afternoon tea venues here. Please Note – These are my own words and reviews and I am in no means obliged to blog or write about them or promote them if written for any external publications, I simply choose to do so. Should you wish to reference these posts or ramblings, please do contact to discuss or share your own ramblings on the topic. Any questions, please do email: hello@misssueflay.com

The Cake & Bake Show 2013 - London Earls Court

After last years Cake & Bake show and a lot of disappointed feedback from guests on how "cupcake" orientated it was, the organisers took nothing but feedback on board and they blimmin' well listened - hurrah! They have since hosted an even in Manchester, so they took all comments (the good, the bad and the ugly) on board and tweaked it after listening to what the crowds wanted in their cakey heaven. Cut to a rainy Saturday morning, a little bleary eyed even with a coffee down me on the way down, stood outside Earls Court, London waiting for our chaperone. Myself and my co-host of the Cambridge Clandestine Cake Club, Deepa (something we both do voluntarily for fun) were offering ourselves to help on the CCC stand at The Cake & Bake Show. We were met by the Clandestine Cake Club creator and my good friend, Lynn Hill, who had the stand there the entire weekend and was taking a set of new volunteers each of the days to keep the stab fresh faced. We hopped up through the VIP entrance and passed the gorgeous an welcoming Eric Lanlard who stopped to have a chat before heading off to his own stand. We were joined by the host of the Epsom CCC, Andrew for the day and we ha a blast talking, thinking, eating and breathing cake. Between recruiting new members for this international (and very secretive) cake club, we got to wander and meet some of our baking idols. Before the show opened to the general public, we got a chance to wander ahead of the hoards. We met Edd Kimber who was setting up for his bread demo and he was quietly (but very professionally) panicking about the lack of ingredients and he was ever so friendly and welcoming. We also bumped into some of the 2013 Great British Bake Off crew including Glen and Rob, both who chatted with us, not giving anything away as we talked about our favourite baking show. Dan Lepard was also there, hosting a series of talks and demonstrations with the Sainsbury's stand and he came over to the stand to talk to us about cake and have us a short lesson in sourdough towards the end of the day. He was inspiring and just listening to his infectious and passionate love for real bread made us all want to go home and get baking. Deepa bought one of Paul A. Young's Marmite brownies (she said it tasted good, but I couldn't bring myself to do it haha) and he was ever so friendly, waving at us each time he walked past our stand throughout the day, everybody was just so nice and there was a real sense of community here. The cake world really is a friendly place! I had such a great day and I was in my element looking at all the stands and cakes for inspiration. It was fantastic to see Alison Appleton and her team there selling their stunning tea sets and showing off their new loose leaf tea selections and tea towel prints, we even got a taste of their green tea and a quick lesson in the science of making it (it's the temperature of the water that can make green tea turn bitter) and I "may" have spent a few pennies on a new tea set for my own tea boudoir. Ahem. I finally got to meet Sue at Tea with Tom whom I've been chatting to on twitter lately and also the very talented Charlotte White from Restoration Cake in between her workshops and was in awe of her red rose tiara, along with everybody else who met her that weekend! And talking of headwear, the colourful Ms. Cupcake also had headwear to be jealous of in the form of a cupcake tiara. I think next year there should be a cake-based headwear stand to buy these gorgeous creations. The weekend was a great success for Lynn and I think we all managed to recruit hundreds of new Clandestine Cakers. We hosted a cake competition on each of the days too and were joined by Peter Sidwell (From ITV's Britain's Best Bakery) for each day to help judge the winning cake, which won a kenwood food mixer based on taste. The winner from our day was a simple cider and apple cake and it was truly delicious, a worthy winner, with the runner up being a carrot cake flavoured picnic basket, complete with earl grey Yorkshire Tea teapot. We finished our day with dinner and cocktails at Ceviche in Soho, which was well deserved and craved after I visited their popup Supperclub in Aldeburgh earlier in the year. Roll on the next Cake & Bake Show!

Is Afternoon Tea Right For Your Wedding?

I was recently asked to host a talk at The Alternative & Vintage Wedding Fair at the Cambridge union Society. Free reign was given, it was suggested perhaps touching on wedding etiquette, however I felt that with the feel of this unusual wedding fair as well as the fact that afternoon tea weddings are increasingly popular, a talk on afternoon tea would be more apt - especially when it comes to the things people don't realise when planning it! I'm sometimes shy and retiring, believe it or not, so the thought of talking to lots of brides and grooms was a little daunting. I got chatting to Lina of Linaandtom.com (a local photographic duo that have helped me with my own events photography over the past few years) and she suggested a co-host with her experience and knowledge in photographing weddings with afternoon tea catering. So, fast forward to a stunning and central Cambridge venue in the rain and wind, wooden panelled walls, comfy leather chairs, and an echoey bar to host our hour long talk. Lina discussed her experiences of afternoon tea catering that has worked well such as canapés and champagne to keep your guests happ on arrival through to "Great British Bake Off" inspired judging of a "bring and share" cake table for guests to take part in. I can picture the bride and groom as their own versions of Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry now - such a great idea for something a little different! It's also very important to let your photographer know what you want in your photos, which elements you want focus on and the timings of your event. A photographer will naturally believe the "cutting of the cake" to happen at the end of the day, but if you are changing the more "traditional" elements of your wedding day, let them know so they factor it into their schedule for your event. Your wedding is YOUR wedding and I'm a firm believer in having & doing what YOU BOTH WANT and not what your guests EXPECT you have. It should also be a day of delicious food to help you celebrate your first meal together and whats better than afternoon tea?! If this is the feast that you choose for your guests, here are my top ten tips on what to consider whilst plotting: Firstly, have a good old think as to why you are going for afternoon tea. Is it to "save money"? by not having a bigger meal? - Be wary of hidden costs and addictive buying and adding to the table, props and the like can become pricey, so beg and borrow (I wouldn't condone stealing!) where possible. Tabletop games and giant games keep guests quiet and make for fun photos, or why not create little scrolls as place settings with a list of "afternoon tea etiquette" tips on how to enjoy your treats?! Afternoon tea is FILLING when done right. But it NEVER looks enough... To get it right, think of yourself sitting in a tearoom and having a tier in front of you. At what point do you fill up? For me, it's usually at the scones. Transfer this to YOUR wedding table and mentally go through the running order of your menu, you will soon see how filling it is going to be. Are you hosting your wedding at a venue? If at a venue, check that you are happy with the catering and service options on offer and if you need flexibility, will they allow you to have exactly what you want? Check before you book! If going DIY, especially in a village hall or similar venue, consider not only clean toilets and parking, but chairs & tables, crockery & cutlery and most importantly a good working kitchen. You will need a fridge, sink, oven, counter space and if serving tea, an urn! Some village halls can be stunning, but have terrible facilities, so do your research. Who will be your washing up fairy? There are some unglamorous elements to afternoon tea and the dirty dishes are just one of them. If going for DIY, keep this in mind and pay "non attending" guests or a "profesional tea lady/team" to help - don't ask invited guests or family as this will ruin THEIR experience of your big day. This will be money well spent and shouldn't be a worry for you on the day - You can always speak to Miss Sue Flay about this service, ahem, shameless plug. If going for a picnic style wedding, consider the parkland around you. For example, if you decide that a quiet picnic on a "Cambridge Common" is a great idea, do be wary that you aren't allowed to pitch a tent or gazebo without permission, of which is very difficult to gain. You should also be aware of cattle sharing your field, they can sniff out a picnic from a mile off and won't be as polite as most passers by, trust me, they can be persistent! Jam jars are perfect to serve traditional lemonade or iced tea with a pretty lid screwed on. Or you could use them for pre-prepare food and carry to your table with ease and they look fantastic on a table filled with a cupcake or colourful cheesecake. You could also fill them with crumbles, trifle, ice cream sundaes, prawn cocktails or pasta salads, you might even go for a roast dinner in jar for something different. Don't overlook the scones, these can be the most pleasing element of an afternoon tea table when served in the right way. You could go for a "DIY Scone Station" complete with jams, creams and curds, even fresh fruit for a colourful focal point. Or you might be penny pinching and want an idea for a favour that doubles up as an edible element of the meal, wrap a scone with a mini pot of jam on cellophane and ribbon for a simple gift for your guests to eat there or take away with them for later - this also makes for easy transportation and serving. Tea doesn't have to be boring for your guests! Set up a tea hatch filled with teacups and teapots and get them to sample lots of new and exciting teas, educating & entertaining them with one easy idea. There are companies out there such as Kandula Tea who sell a fantastic pink tea and Teabox Online who serve tea blends such as whiskey & ginger or rhubarb & custard. Don't cut back on your photographer or an events organiser. Should you be going for the DIY approach, hire a "professional afternoon tea lady" such as myself to ensure the smooth running of your afternoon tea catering. For more information on my offerings, visit www.misssueflay.com or drop me an email and I will happily help you with an adhoc consultation or a full on events service for your own afternoon tea or event at Hello@MissSueFlay.com Not forgetting my afternoon tea etiquette workshops, of which may make for a fun and sophisticated hen party celebration or wedding advice if this is of interest to you both. For more information on Lina and Tom, click here.

The Lost Art Of Etiquette - Hosting A Sophisticated Evening Soirée

I was recently asked to write a feature for Local Secrets, a fantastic online guide to what's going on in and around Cambridge, the topic being how to host the perfect evening soirée. Naturally, I was in my element jotting down my tips and advice on how to enjoy a stress-free event in your own home or venue and here on the blog I'm also sharing these notes with you, my food & etiquette-loving readers. Hearing guests squeal with delight, oohing and ahhing as they bite into your home-cooked gastronomy, is one of the most gratifying elements to hosting a civilised shindig. But what is the secret to a successful dinner party that oozes elegance and sophistication? Exceptional planning, a sprinkling of creativity, a dollop of love and hosting flair and etiquette are equally as important as the food itself if you really want to create a memorable affair. Here are a few secrets to hosting a successful evening soirée… The invitations Firstly, when was the last time you delivered handwritten invitations? It's most likely been a while, so get yourself some classic writing paper and matching envelopes to send a beautifully handwritten invite to your chosen few. It's not only a great exercise of formal etiquette, but sets the tone for the soirée itself. It's said that the perfect number for a dinner party is six to eight guests, any more then conversations and personal elements can get lost so remember not to overcrowd your table, especially if not everybody knows each other. To create a sophisticated ambiance, do keep it to grown-ups only; no children or pets present, no matter how cute and cuddly they may be. Perfect presentation The thought of arranging a floral centrepiece might be a little daunting or overrated, but you can go for a display of seasonal fruits or even a sculpture or candelabra as the focus for your table. Sometimes simple, low level lighting can be just as effective. Take time to lay the table correctly. Warm your plates, cups, bowls and so on before serving food or hot beverages, ensuring your dishes are served at the correct temperature. Use best china, no plastic or paper imposters, and under no circumstances is it okay to dish out the paper napkins. Starched and ironed linens are a must; there's nothing as luxurious as sitting at a table with a superbly ironed tablecloth and a crisp dinner napkin over your lap for a hint of luxury. Just don't over starch - nobody wants to cut their mouths whilst dabbing. Food glorious food Plan your menu in advance, allowing time to plot your shopping list, decor and drinks around the food you are serving. There's plenty of inspiration online through blogs, recipe sites and even Pinterest, which is a very creative online 'mood board' allowing you to create a visual dinner party menu to really get your creative juices flowing. If going 'retro' with your food, then do try to put a modern twist on dishes instead of serving inelegant prawn cocktails and a 70s trifle recipe complete with 'Dream Topping' that looks like Auntie Elsie made it for tea. And don't experiment on the day of the event as this will add unnecessary stress. If you're going to try out new recipes, give them a go in advance to iron out any creases. Try using a 'secret ingredient' or method in one of your dishes to get some excitement and conversation going. It's always great fun playing this guessing game with people, so enjoy the rewarding attention from your friends;you will have earned it. When it comes to dessert it's always good to have a choice of an indulgent option as well as a healthier one to please everybody. Most guests will go for a bit of both, but it's good to offer them an alternative. Finishing touches Remember to always make introductions - don't expect others to do it. Seat people next to guests they may already know or will get on well with from the off to avoid any awkwardness. A superb little tip is to write guest names on the front and back of all place cards so that people around the table can't forget names. It's also a good idea to set up a DIY drinks bar for your guests to enjoy with a few of your favourite recipes behind it for some fun and entertainment, allowing you a little less stress whilst you calmly panic behind the scenes. Music should offer something relaxed and mellow, playing ever so gently in the background, but not disturbing conversation. Ensure that you have a playlist that doesn't repeat the same song tens of time and that doesn't stop until your guests have left. Don't ever punish your guests by delaying dinner for late arrivals; they shouldn't be made to wait for any rude latecomers. Any late arrivals should simply slip in wherever you are within the evenings' schedule. And always ensure that you are ready to host before the final cooking commences - there's nothing more unglamorous than a hostess pulling rollers out of her hair as she answers the door! It's a good idea to host different elements of your dinner party in different rooms: arrival drinks and hors d'oeuvres in the lounge or garden, dinner at the dining table followed by coffee in the conservatory. This makes the evening flow better for you and your guests, allowing you to clear up later on. Finally, remember not to clear away too quickly between courses, as the clearing and serving dictates the pace of your meal. Instead, ensure that you sit with your guests and make time for them - this is where being organised will reward and help you to enjoy the soirée too! To read this feature in full and other superb features by many local (and very talented writers) then visit the Local Secrets Website by clicking here. And to read more about becoming a well behaved guest or host/ess at your own tea party, visit my etiquette workshops page here. Please Note – These are my own words and reviews and I am in no means obliged to blog or write about them or promote them if written for any external publications, I simply choose to do so. Should you wish to reference these posts or ramblings, please do contact to discuss or share your own ramblings on the topic. Any questions, please do email: hello@misssueflay.com

" The Alternative & Vintage Wedding Fair " - An Afternoon Tea Talk

As you are well aware by now, I'm not personally a huge fan of the word "vintage", be it in high street fashion or in an " I saw you coming" style shop full of wooden heart-shaped tat, but when it comes to wedding planning, I'm a huge believer in having it your own unique way and going against tradition does delight the rebel in me, should you be lucky enough to know me by now! So, when I was asked to join the upcoming "Alternative & Vintage Wedding Fair" coming to The Cambridge Union on Sunday 15th September by offering a talk on afternoon tea as your wedding breakfast, I couldn't resist saying yes, in the vain hope that I will be able to assist or reassure just ONE upcoming bride or groom for their big day. I knew that with my history of speaking at events (and getting very nervous standing up in front of a huge number alone!) and the nerves of steel I would need for this new "wedding fair" experience, I wasn't set on doing this talk on my todd, so I invited my friend Lina Orsino of Linaandtom.com ( a very talented & local photographic duo) who have professional experience in photographing afternoon tea wedding breakfasts as well as creative events such as my very own. The initial discussion we had on this topic made us realise that we had something both entertaining and (hopefully) helpful combined for future brides & grooms considering this option. So afternoon tea talk plans are now in motion, mixed with a visual delight of Lina & Toms work to show off some real life wedding ideas and inspiration. On Sunday 15th September at 1:45pm, Lina and myself will be taking to the main stage (or room, or carpet, I'm not entirely sure ; ) to natter informally to a crowd that may want to listen to us and we will impart our advice on how we feel afternoon tea could work best for wedding celebrations, be it homemade or provided by a caterer, we will ensure you are thinking of some of the lesser obvious elements of afternoon tea. Should you not be able to make the talk, but intend to come down on the day, never fear, we will both have stands in the main hall where you will be able to talk to us on an individual level too. I'm now offering private catering & waitress service in your own home or venue on an ad-hoc basis, so if not wanting to do this yourself, this may be an option you would fancy discussing on the day... and I'd be delighted to meet you to discuss your needs, so do come and say hello. Or perhaps you just fancy a natter about afternoon tea etiquette for your chosen wedding breakfast, then again, do come and say hi and totally geek out with me about my favourite topic to ensure you have well behaved guests on your special day. You may perhaps even fancy a sophisticated & polite afternoon tea option for a hen or stag party prior to your big day, just ask for more information. This is going to be a fantastic event, in a quirky Cambridge venue of which you will be able to tour throughout the day and it will be filled with talented and unique suppliers and even DIY workshops on offer throughout the day. I'm not getting married myself, but I for one am very excited about meeting the taxidermy people amongst other suppliers... yep, I am led to believe it's going to be one quirky event! Myself & Lina look forward to meeting you there! Read more about "The Alternative & Vintage Wedding Fair" by clicking here. We've also been mentioned on the fabulous Rock n Roll Bride blog here. More about Lina & Tom at Liquid Photo here.