Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur, Jason Atherton has extended the offering at his latest opening, The Betterment at The Biltmore Mayfair, to include an indulgently British afternoon tea, as well as an exclusive festive option.
Highlighting artisanal and heritage produce from across the UK, the luxurious tea is served in the dedicated Tea Lounge and can be enjoyed alongside a selection of fresh and dried infusions from The Betterment’s tea trolley or a celebratory glass of champagne.
Devised together with Head Chef Paul Walsh, The Betterment Afternoon Tea commemorates the best of British with Savouries, Scones and Sweet Delicacies, all detailed for guests on a beautifully illustrated map which highlights the region each component is sourced from.
Kicking off the UK taste tour, Savouries include sandwiches such as Brixham Crab with Somerset Citrus Yoghurt on Rye and Hereford Beef with Horseradish Cream. Classic Scones are warm and delicate with Clotted Cream and Raspberry Jam whilst Sweet Delicacies are a jaunt across the British isles.
Guests can enjoy Cranachan with Bruce Farm Raspberries, Whisky, Honey and Toasted Oats from the highlands of Scotland; Ginger Parkin, Hazelnut Cream, Salted Caramel and Milk Chocolate from the Pennine Hills; Dorset Spiced Apple Cake from the orchards of southern England.
To finish, treats include a Silent Pool Gin and Tonic Cake infused with Lemon, Orange and White Chocolate and Earl Grey Tea Macaroons with Lemon and Lavender – the perfect accompaniment to a range of herbal, black and white teas from The Rare Tea Company.
To mark its first Christmas, Walsh has distilled the best of the season for a festive version of The Betterment Afternoon Tea, showcasing favourite Yuletide indulgences in miniature form.
The Christmas Savouries section features sandwiches such as heady Truffled Brie from Wiltshire with Pickled Cucumber on Granary Bread and – to channel the Christmas morning breakfast – rich Smoked Salmon from Severn and Wye on London Ricotta, spiked with Lemon and Dill. A classic Christmas sandwich features thinly sliced Roast Norfolk Turkey, Herb Filled Stuffing and a Rich Cranberry Sauce.
Meanwhile, festive scones are bejewelled with bright candied Orange and Cranberries, and appear alongside a timeless Sherry and Almond Fruitcake Slice.
In keeping with the festive spirit of decadence, The Sweet Delicacies celebrate the best of winter with warming notes of Stem Ginger, White Chocolate and Clementine Gingerbread, whilst the fairytale flavours of the Black Forest come next with Cherry, Milk Chocolate and Salted Caramel presented as a bauble.
The traditional Christmas cocktail of Eggnog comes presented as patisserie laced with nutmeg and spiced pear, whilst Mulled Wine Macaroons are dusted with cinnamon. No Festive Afternoon Tea would be complete without a Mince Pie, finished with a quenelle of brandy butter.
Speaking on the launch of both teas, Atherton said, “Afternoon Tea is a British institution and the perfect medium for us to showcase our ethos of deformalised fine dining as well as our passion for championing the best of the country’s produce. We’ve cherrypicked the very best of what the UK has to offer – from the Hebrides to Hereford.
'We couldn’t neglect to mark our first Christmas here at The Betterment too, so have chosen British Christmas dishes we love distilled into an afternoon tea.
'From the nostalgic turkey sandwiches on Boxing day to the rich spiced mince pies which seem to punctuate our days until the New Year, Paul has captured the spirit of the whole festive period and we can’t wait to present you with it.”
