Afternoon Tea at The Berkeley Hotel is where food meets fashion. Prêt-à-Portea is derived from the term Prêt-à-Porter, or ready-to-wear fashion, as opposed to bespoke or tailor, made. Whether you adore fashion or are snagging a seat at the catwalk for the first time, you will fall in love with this one-of-a-kind afternoon tea experience. And what better location than in London’s Knightsbridge neighborhood?
The Berkeley Hotel, located between Hyde Park and fashionable Knightsbridge, is the epitome of modern British Luxury and is just a short walk away from the landmark shopping destination, Harrods.
History of Prêt-à-Portea
Guests have celebrated the fashion-focused afternoon tea for twenty-eight seasons so far. It first launched in the spring of 2005. In total, 95 designers’ creations have appeared throughout the history of Prêt-à-Portea. Past designers have included Anya Hindmarch, Philip Treacy, Simone Rocha, and Victoria Beckham. Prêt-à-Portea has also popped up elsewhere around the globe including in New York. Their destination across the pond was Bergdorf Goodman’s on Fifth Avenue.
“From Catwalk to Cakewalk”
The Spring/Summer 2022 collection includes confections inspired by the following designers’ runway fashions: Oscar de La Renta, Michael Kors, Gucci, Richard Quinn, Saint Laurent and Schiaparelli.
This season’s collection opens with Oscar de la Renta. The highlight is a striking orange gown crafted with apricot bavarois, salted Manuka honey, and apricot ganache. It is beautifully topped with a delicate meringue frill.
A standout handbag from Michael Kors also takes center stage. Designers showcased his bags filled with flowers on the catwalk. Pastry chefs recreated this concept as a Victoria sponge with fresh strawberry jam. They wrapped it in an Opalys chocolate cylinder and intricately piped flowers using lime buttercream.
Schiaparelli’s couture golden mini dress combines caramel sponge, dark Valrhona chocolate and hazelnut praline, all topped with a shimmering, chocolate oversized collar. The pastry chefs immortalize Richard Quinn’s buttercup yellow gown in ice cream. They fill chocolate wafer cones with fresh fruit compote, pineapple, and star anise sorbet. Bright yellow chocolate waves top the creation, adding a striking finish.
Finally, the Prêt-à-Portea pastry team have created showstopper of a cake – designed to share – paying homage to Saint Laurent’s floral jumpsuit. It is an oversized red rose made of lychee mousse with fresh raspberry, set on a glossy white coconut cake and finished with a green chocolate leaf.
The Stylish Afternoon Tea
The three-hour afternoon was so memorable. It must be expressed that this is an experience one would hope to have season after season. In fact, for all fashionistas and foodies, it should be a must at least once per season. It is also the perfect opportunity to treat loved ones for their birthday, anniversary, or for any reason to celebrate.
“An experience that will fit your palate like a glove.”
A personalized place setting is set on the table for your party. Get ready to sit, relax, and bask in an experience that will fit your palate like a glove.
The tea menu includes a selection of green, oolong, yellow, white, tisane, pu erh, and black teas including rare and seasonal teas. Coffee is also available as is hot chocolate that is served with fresh whipped cream. Favorite teas from the vast selection are Ceylon & Rose, Vanilla Black, Jasmine Silver Needle, and Dragonwell Green at the beginning of your tea experience.
The Berkeley tea sandwiches are some of the best tea sandwiches in London. If you have ever considered grabbing seconds for your tea sandwiches, The Berkeley is the perfect place to do so. It’s a must-try, no matter how full you already are! Two notable tea sandwiches stand out on the menu. The first is the Roast Corn Fed Chicken with truffle cream, braised leeks, and parmesan on sourdough bread.
Afternoon Tea Booking Information
Prêt-à-Portea serves its menu every day between 1:00 and 5:30 PM at a base price of £64 per person. We recommend the Couture Champagne Prêt-à-Portea, with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Rosé. For younger guests, the Signature Mocktail Prêt-à-Portea with a glass of a refreshing Mango & Rooibos mocktail is an excellent choice.