“A fairly substantial meal that includes tea and is served in the late afternoon or early evening”

This dictionary definition of a high tea provided by thefreedictionary.com, sums up what a high tea is. However, there are various types of high teas that one can host with all showcasing similar components.

Bringing alive a traditional high tea from the 19^th century when the English upper classes would gather for tea and sandwiches in the mid-afternoon is easy when you have tips and advice on how to adapt this traditional event to the 21^st century.

Whether you want to host a high tea themed party or wedding, there are a variety of ideas that can be brought together to make an unforgettable event. Food, décor and details are the main three components that will make your planning “easy as pie”.

Food is the main feature of this type of event. The food should be displayed on delicate and pretty cake stands in the middle of each table or provided by waiters who come around with platters. Food should portray canapé’s, that of bite-sized sandwiches, pastries and miniature cakes.

Favourites usually include any mini version of popular tarts & cakes including milk tarts, black forest, red velvet, cheesecake, as well as macarons, truffles and scones as well as savouries made with bruschetta, puff or phyllo pastry, crackers, cheeses, salsa combined with cold meats, seafood, vegetables and even fruit.

The second element to a high tea is the décor which should highlight floral accents with soft pinks, greens and other pastels with flowers, glass jars, pearl necklaces, hessian and even paper lanterns on display.

Of recent, jade and coral have also become popular colours to incorporate into a high tea theme with mix matched cups and saucers giving off a vintage-feel.

For a quirky look & feel, some event organisers even go to the effort of hanging tea cups from the ceiling or above one table hosting a display of food.

Numerous bride-to-be’s also have a high tea thrown for them; which has become a trend of late. Guests are usually asked to come dressed in floral attire or don floral headbands which make for great photographic opportunities.

Overall, it is always the minor details that bring the whole event together. The best advice is to keep it simple, pretty and ensure there is delicious food. If your event calls for entertainment, ensure that yours in to the taste of the crowd.

Information provided by Ane du Preez and Leon de Kock from Granny Mouse Country House & Spa.

Reference: high tea. (n.d.) American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011). Retrieved March 16 2016 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/high+tea

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team” – Phil Jackson, an American retired basketball coach and former player.

This quote applies to anyone that is representative of a team, whether it be a sporting team, or corporate office team.

According to Professor Andrew Oswald from the University of Warwick in the UK, companies that invest in employee support and satisfaction tend to succeed in generating happier workers.  (Jonha Revesencio. July 22, 2015. Retrieved from www.fastcompany.com)

If you are in the management sector of your company and want to motivate your team to produce better results, why not take a portion of your marketing budget and invest in your workers, as you would in advertising or client liaison. This way, you are investing in the likelihood of a more productive team and hence, a more productive business.

Book your team into the country and allow their spirits to be lifted by the clean air, serene surroundings and get them in touch with nature at Granny Mouse Country House & Spa.

Situated on the KZN Midlands Meander, Granny Mouse not only offers standard conference venues, but they are also experienced in offering teambuilding packages to ensure a happier team on departure.

Teambuilding activities can include but are not limited to the following: Mousterchef, Whiskey tasting, Wine tasting, spa treatment teambuilding packages and much more. We can incorporate your ideas – from the mundane to the adventurous – into any of our corporate offerings.

After their experience at the Mousterchef team-build last month, Sarah Bell and her team from ECHO, an events and conference company situated in Cape Town, praised Granny Mouse for their service. “Thank you for arranging such a fantastic time for us 6, we really had such fun in your kitchens and learning some tricks from your chefs. The night at the hotel was such a treat and enjoyed every minute of being in the peaceful place. We were also very impressed by the small details that were thought of and the level of service provided.” Sarah Bell – Account Manager.

To help you create a happier and more productive team contact us today on 033 234 4071. Chat to our banqueting management team who will make your conference one to remember. To view our conferencing packages visit http://www.grannymouse.co.za/our-conference-facilities.