Andaz Liverpool Street, QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE AFTERNOON TEA

QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE AFTERNOON TEA

Kate: 2012 really is a massive year for England, and London in particular as we will be hosting not only the prestigious Olympic games but also The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The Diamond Jubilee will mark 60 years of her glorious reign (The Queen's coronation took place on the 2nd of June, 1953), it is also worth noting Queen Elizabeth II's reign is the second longest reign in British history.

For those viewers who are not aware, Queen Elizabeth II is regarded by many of our citizens as a national treasure, and is a very popular monarch. The Queen is the Head of State for Great Britain, and is also currently the Head of the Common wealth. The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent countries, with the vast majority at some stage in their history being under British rule. Queen Elizabeth was the third child in line for the throne, and therefore was not intended to be Queen, but due to her uncles abdication took up the role at the tender age of 25. In 1947 Queen Elizabeth II married Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh and together they have had four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward. It is her eldest son Prince Charles that will become our next King.

Buckingham Palace is responsible for coordinating all the events for the Diamond Jubilee central weekend (2nd–5th June 2012). Details of The Queen’s programme will be announced in due course.

Chelsie: With the Diamond Jubilee just around the corner what could possibly be a better way to celebrate the occasion then embracing traditional English culture and indulging in an Afternoon Tea? I am sure that her majesty the Queen would approve of our decision!

Andaz, In London (Liverpool Street), has just the answer! In honour of the Diamond Jubilee, Andaz
has designed 4 fabulous different afternoon tea's. We have already booked our place for June (So Excited!) but the Tea run's through February to June with one of the four different themes each month. The tea is inspired by the five longest serving British Queens and ends with our current Queen Elizabeth II.

February 2012: ‘BLOODY MARY’ Afternoon tea 

Queen Mary I (reigning monarch between 1553 and 1558) was the daughter of King Henry viii and is first wife Queen Catherine of Aragon.  Queen Mary was the first woman to successfully claim the throne of England.  Mary married Prince Philippe II of Spain in 1554, and attempted to restore England back the Roman Catholic Faith. 1901’s afternoon tea for this Monarch is inspired by her connections to the Catalan nation, tinged with Spanish delights.

• Selection of sandwiches
• Chorizo and squid in pimento bread, Spanish tortilla with garlic mayo, mini fish and anchovies burgers in bocadillo
• Selection of pastries
• Churros with chocolate and lemon saffron crème, catalan cream, seasonal scones with clotted cream,
   jams and marmalade
• Specialty tea: Organic Rooibos
• Specialty cocktail: Spiced mix shaken with tomato juice and Ketel One Vodka

March: ‘THE VIRGIN QUEEN’ Afternoon Tea

Queen Elizabeth I, Good Queen Bess or the Virgin Queen (reigning monarch between 1558-1603) was the daughter of Henry viii and his second highly controversial wife Anne Boleyn. Ironically initially deemed as a failure (because she was not male) turned out to be one of our most loved and successful monarchs. Elizabeth is remembered for her greatest achievements beating the Spanish Armanda, and sponsoring Sir Walter Raleigh, who made the first English attempt to colonize the New World.  This afternoon tea is an ode to Elizabeth I’s American connections.

• Selection of sandwiches
• Pastrami and pickled gherkins, mini burger, mini hot dog, fish tacos verde
• Selection of pastries
• Chocolate brownie, peanut butter cookies, seasonal scones with clotted cream, jams and marmalade
• Specialty tea: Organic Darjeeling
• Speciality cocktail: Appleton Estate Rum, mandarin and passion fruit purée, ginger beer and a dash of grenadine

April: ‘BRANDY NAN’ Afternoon Tea

Queen Anne’s rule (reigning monarch between 1702 and 1714) had a lasting impression on Britain. Her indelible mark left us not only with the “Races at Ascot” but it was also during her reign that John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, defeated the forces of Louis XVI at the Battle of Blenheim. The Treaty of Utrecht ended the War of the Spanish Succession, saving Vienna and the whole of Austria.

• Selection of sandwiches
• Sauerkraut and white sausage with sweet mustard, Fleschkase with fried onion and salmon with lemon mayo and pickled vegetable
• Selection of pastries
• Coffee Bavarian Cream, apple strudel and seasonal scones with clotted cream, jams and marmalade
• Specialty tea: English Breakfast
• Specialty cocktail: Hennessy Fine Cognac stirred with red fruit tea, honey, Orget and cherry syrup, with a dash of Pernod and Bitters

May: ‘EMPRESS OF INDIA’ Afternoon Tea 

Queen Victoria’s reign (reigning monarch between 1837 and 1901) coincided with truly remarkable industrial invention, economic growth, and colonial expansion that gave the average Englishman hope for advancement, and a deep national pride in being British. The highest point in Victoria’s reign was her coronation as Empress of India, for which this afternoon tea takes its theme.

• Selection of sandwiches
• Chicken tikka massala, cured curry salmon with lettuce and raisins, curry vegetable on naan bread
• Selection of pastries
• Coconut and milk chocolate, sweet samosa with spice mango, seasonal scones with clotted cream, jams and marmalade
• Specialty tea: Organic Assam
• Speciality cocktail: Bombay Sapphire gin shaken with
• Darjeeling tea, strawberry syrup, cacao, and coffee liquor

June: ‘THE DIAMOND QUEEN’ Afternoon Tea

From the start of her reign in the 1950’s, Queen Elizabeth II has been popular at home and abroad. She is the Head of State of the United Kingdom and of 16 other Commonwealth States. During her reign,  she has made many official visits abroad and has travelled all over Britain. This afternoon tea is quintessentially British, in honour of the Queen’s Jubilee taking place in June.

• Selection of sandwiches
• Coronation chicken on white bread loaf, cured trout sandwich with leek and onion marmalade,
   mini sweet corn fritters with mayo
• Selection of pastries
• Trifle, millionaire shortbread, seasonal scones with clotted cream, jams and marmalade
• Specialty tea: Organic Earl Grey
• Specialty cocktail: Earl grey tea stirred with Dubonet, Bombay sapphire gin and bitter

We will be visiting in June for the ‘THE DIAMOND QUEEN’ but they all look fantastic ! If you could choose one which would it be ?

Priced at £45 per head and available Monday to Friday from 3.00pm – 4.30pm, reservations can be made by contactinglondon.restres@andaz.com or +44 (0)207 618 7000.