Years ago The Berkeley in London came up with a novel concept for Afternoon Tea: a fashionista's tea called Prêt-a-Portea. Inspired by the latest season’s catwalk designs, cakes get makeovers in the style, theme, and colors chosen by the world’s top fashion designers. The tea has proved so popular that it even made an appearance across the pond at Bergdorf Goodman for New York Fashion Week in 2009.
The menu thus changes every six months, and the Autumn/Winter 2011 collection was just unveiled this week. Prêt-à-Portea is available daily from 1 – 6 pm in the hotel’s Caramel Room, and is priced at £36.50 per person. Champagne Prêt-à-Portea costs £46.50 per person, and Couture Champagne Prêt-à-Port, including a glass of Billecart-Salmon Rosé, Laurent Perrier Ultra Brut, Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle, costs £53 per person. Here’s the menu of delectable nibbles:
· Valentino orange and ginger clutch cake closed with oversized chocolate bow
· Bottega Veneta colour blocking pink and gold pear mousse and clementine cremeux coat with matching macaroon button
· Dolce & Gabbana signature gold starred chocolate éclair dress filled with hazelnut cream
· Stella McCartney must-have polka dot sponge cake dress
· Burberry Prorsum stylish black and white double breasted chocolate biscuit coat with snow white vanilla icing
· Miu Miu winter spice glittery high-heeled shoe biscuit
· Jill Sander pomegranate and grenadine mousse dress topped with colourful chocolate flower pattern
· Lanvin show-stopping cassis bavarois dress with crème de mûre jelly topped with signature folded meringue
· Sonia Rykiel striped chestnut cream and almond sponge cake dress complete with trendy metallic sparkles