Stick this in your book. (Quickpost: allow 1 minute read time.)
Five years ago the explosion of fancy hotel high teas was lit at an elegant soiree organised by PR and event manager Elena O’Brien in the uber-swank Park Hyatt Melbourne hotel on the lip of the city’s pretty green belt. Ms. O’Brien conceived a Parisien salon-like afternoon of flutes and fashion and tasty dainties finished with heartwarming gift bags chockfull of sponsor’s offerings.
It was glamourous and lovely and a little old fashioned and quickly adopted adapted and replicated everywhere. Business women reportedly warmed to the civility of it all, using afternoon teas like the femmelogical alternative to the otherwise blokey, boozy corporate repertoire of long club lunches, golf games and boxes at the footy. Fashionistocrats adored high teas because, well, who wouldn’t? They flocked too.
Now, modern high (fashion) tea is returning to its heartland at the Park Hyatt. Voxfrock has sampled the conviviality and dainties due for service at an extraordinary version of the concept on Sunday, September 8. Executive chef Dane Clouston created a special, tiered menu of tiny, complex, meticulously prepared tartlets and finger sandwiches, cake-lets, mallows, even scones and slim slices. (Note: slim, not slimming.)
Flutes were Chandon-ed, silver shone, crystal glinted, spirits lifted. (Voxfrock ADORES tea.) Voxfrock’s favorite menu item was a knuckle sized tartlet of whipped goat cheese topped with a papery wafer of crisped chorizo that we mistook for a sweetie, it was so darned pretty.
Event manager for this High Tea and High Fashion afternoon, is Antonia Acott of Fashion Concierge Media, a well connected fashionistocrat who secured, among a host of other treats, a fashion collection including designs by Aurelio Costarella and Carl Kapp, a team of make-up artists from Napoleon Perdis , and Australian Hairdresser of the Year, Biba’s Frank Apostolopoulos, to pitch in and pleasure guests on the day.
Early booking is an excellent idea.
HIGH TEA and HIGH FASHION presented by Fashion Concierge Media and PARK HYATT MELBOURNE, Sunday, September 8, 1.30 – 4 pm. 1.30pm-4.00pm
Tickets $125, all inclusive, (03) 9224 1234 or melbourne.park@hyatt.com, www.melbourne.park.hyatt.com
Janice Breen Burns, jbb@voxfrock.com.au
