We’re quite partial to an afternoon of cakes, clotted cream and civilised conversation at Crummbs HQ, so with the V&A launching a Victorian Afternoon Tea in partnership with Benugo, we thought it the perfect excuse to sample a selection of delicacies served in the beautiful Morris Room.
The menu has been developed with the help of an Award-Winning food historian. We were lucky enough to have her on-site, and she talked us through how they came to develop such a unique offering, which included Mrs Beeton’s classic cucumber sandwich and the most beautifully sticky iced orange cake.
We also delved into the history behind afternoon tea and the classic cakes and sandwiches. On the menu, the dates of each delicacy is next to the description, so as you enjoy your food, you learn a little too. When we were asked what our favourite was, we just couldn’t decide. We kept listing off everything we had eaten – the Ham Hock with Indian Chutney, but then there was the Asparagus and Parmesan Tart… and don’t even get us started on the Lemon and Poppyseed Cake!
As the afternoon goes by, you feel so relaxed in the Morris Room, in it’s lush dark green environment with high ceilings and stained glass windows, where you’ve no idea what’s going on outside in the real world. The teas on offer are those that were traditional in Victorian times, English Breakfast, Earl Grey – and the more unusual such as Elderflower and Lemon.
Bookings will be taken for the general public for November onwards, where Afternoon Tea starts at £30, and they are currently in the kitchen working on Vegetarian and Gluten Free options, to keep in line with the Victorian menu. You will be able to add prosecco to your Tea, should you want to add a bit of sparkle, but your hardest decision will be what you will save for your last bite – the incredible mini Victoria Sponge or the lightest scone we’ve ever tasted… Not sure if we can even wait until November to go back for more!!
http://www.benugo.com/public-spaces/victoria-albert-museum
