The Dorchester: Afternoon Tea at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

The Dorchester returns to RHS Chelsea Flower Show offering afternoon tea and floral cocktails May 23-27, 2017

Dorchester Collection’s iconic British hotel, The Dorchester, is announcing a return to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2017 to offer a quintessentially British afternoon tea experience. New for 2017, is the addition of The Dorchester Bar, which will serve floral cocktails, exclusive spirits and champagne, led by bar manager, Giuliano Morandin.

Surrounded by beautiful blooms, The Dorchester Bar and The Dorchester Afternoon Tea will be available at a bespoke pop-up restaurant, The Drawing Room, located on-site at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The Drawing Room will once again evoke the heritage and glamour of The Promenade at The Dorchester, which has been the heart of the hotel since 1931, with its iconic urns and palms.

The Dorchester Afternoon Tea, served only to ticket holding guests, will showcase the renowned talents of The Dorchester’s head pastry chef, David Girard. The four new pastries have all been designed especially for RHS Chelsea Flower Show and will include beautiful touches such as hand crystallised flowers from Wales, and flavours such as Tanzanian dark chocolate and Marsala cream. The Dorchester Afternoon Tea will also include finger sandwiches and warm scones as well as handmade preserves and a glass of chilled champagne.

The Dorchester Bar will be open to all guests at the show from 11.00am each day, and will serve a curated menu of four floral cocktails. The celebrated Her Majesty’s Cup, created with the Dorchester’s exclusive Old Tom Gin, will be served from a bespoke and classic English teapot. Inclusive with Her Majesty’s Cup will be the opportunity to add a ‘bar bite’, made up of one dressed scone, three finger sandwiches and two floral inspired pastries. Other cocktails include The Dorchester’s Classic Bellini, Dorchester 75 and Purple Rain which combines champagne infused with lavender and violet. The floral cocktails will be available from £15 per glass, and Her Majesty’s Cup served with a bar bite will be priced at £25 per person. Booking will not be required in advance. Commenting on his involvement at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, bar manager Giuliano Morandin said: ‘RHS Chelsea Flower Show marks the start of the British social season and I am delighted to be bringing our iconic drinks to the wonderful setting.’

At the entrance to The Drawing Room, guests will be greeted by unique floral displays created by designer florist at The Dorchester, Philip Hammond. The displays will be made up of colourful foliage and flowers to recreate the iconic welcome that guests receive at The Dorchester and inspire them to capture their perfect #DCmoments. To complement the pastries, the floral displays within The Drawing Room, will include hues of pink and soft peach representing the best of an English country garden with English grown peonies, roses, delphiniums and hydrangeas. Guests will enjoy live music from The Dorchester’s resident pianist bringing the ambience of the iconic British hotel to the show.

RHS shows director Nick Mattingley commented: “Last year we were delighted to welcome The Dorchester’s iconic afternoon tea to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and are very excited they will enrich our visitor experience further in 2017 with the addition of The Dorchester Bar.”

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