All posts in Eating Out

Reaching out to new audiences, Newbury Racecourse – one of the UK’s best loved racecourses and local track to the Middletons – is the first racecourse to partner with renowned champagne house Veuve Clicquot, to offer a vintage afternoon tea which will ensure that racegoers can ‘take tea’ in truly quintessentially British style.

In time for Ladies Day on Saturday 13th August, this traditionally-inspired tea treat is available at the newly refurbished Brasserie, set amid 360 acres of picturesque countryside in the heart of the Racecourse. Drawing on the influence of the 1880s and the tradition of ‘taking tea’, this exclusive vintage tea offers three levels of indulgence on a traditional Victorian tea stand. The tea will be served with a selection of Twinings Deli Range in a delicate Porcelain tea set and a glass of bubbly.

Siobhan Glasbey, Regional Account Manager at Twinings, comments on the traditional art of taking tea: “As a fiercely traditional company we’re thrilled to be working with Newbury Racecourse to offer their afternoon tea. The modern afternoon tea is still steeped in tradition and people are always keen to understanding how tea was once taken, its history and etiquette, allowing them to have a bit of fun with the experience.”

TWININGS TOP TRADITIONS FOR TAKING TEA

• The teaspoon should never be left in the teacup, if you are not using it, it should be placed on the saucer. Forks should never be set back down on the table – instead, they are set on the side of the plate.
• Sugar to go in first, followed by the tea and then the milk. When tea started to become popular, the upper classes were able to afford porcelain china which didn’t shatter when adding the boiling water and so did not need to add milk first. Also, traditional superstition states: to put milk in your tea before sugar is to cross the path of love, perhaps never to marry.
• When holding your tea cup, these days you would loop your fingers through the handle and balance it with your pinkie finger. When the first tea came over on the ships they also brought Chinese crockery with them and the cups had no handle. There was no room for your pinky meaning when you tipped the cup to sip it would stick up in the air.
• When seated at the table, the napkin should be placed on your lap. The napkin should never touch the table once one is seated. Even if temporarily leaving the table, the napkin is set on the seat.

The upper layer offers a delicious selection of handmade cakes, from glazed lemon drizzle to decadent brownies and fruity tarts, all crafted by sous chef Michael Payne, who joined the racecourse from a four rosette restaurant. The middle layer is a generous helping of freshly baked scones with cream and seasonal jam and finally, the bottom layer, presents a delicate selection of finger sandwiches all prepared on site.

WHAT’S IN STORE THIS LADIES DAY
• Ladies Day at Newbury Racecourse is renowned as a sensational day’s racing with seven elite Flat races during the day.
• Gastronomic hospitality, including delicious designer cocktails at the newly launched cocktail bar.
• This year, Ladies Day has partnered with fashion brand, Coast, which is renowned for its colourful occasion wear fit for a day at the races.
• The renowned annual Fashion in the Field competition with the chances to win a luxury holiday to Florida and other great prizes up for grabs.
• A pamper zone in the Premier Enclosure hosted by Camp Hopson with beauty treatments from Benefit and SPC Skincare
• For the first time in racing history Newbury launches the Pampered in the Paddock – an exclusive Butler service available to racegoers

Afternoon tea will be available in the Brasserie and is priced at £29.95 for two people with champagne as an additional extra. Although manners are always expected, following the ‘How to Take Tea’ guide is optional.