Earlier this year Jessica Préalpato launched her nature-inspired Afternoon Tea experience at The Carlton Tower Jumeirah. Formerly known as the World’s Best Pastry Chef, Prealpato’s talent is superlative and her offering at The Carlton showcases copious skills and an innovative mind. The French chef’s creations offer a complexity never seen before.
For the festive season, Préalpato’s added a touch of Christmas spirit, this iteration continues to be inspired by the flora of English gardens. Served daily until the 5th of January 2023, the celebratory afternoon tea experience is £75 per person, held in the newly launched Chinoiserie Tea Room. Auburn decor and festive ornaments detail the classic quarter. Located on the ground floor next to The Chinoiserie, it reflects the same elegance, heightened with a homey crackling fireplace, the space grants a relaxed, warm and inviting ambience.
Disrupting the classic British Afternoon Tea, she brings her signature style Desseralité, a blend of the words dessert and naturalité to create unconventional sugar-free pairings. It preserves the natural taste of the key ingredients, aligning with her philosophy of respecting the Earth and its fruits.
Inspirited by the Botanics and flora of the prestigious Kew Gardens in southwest London, Préalpato’s non-traditional menu has an abundance of fruity and floral tastes and aromas, creating a sensorial experience through the enhancements of the core ingredients. Consisting of three courses, the afternoon tea features a liquified sorbet palate cleanser.
The Tea list is extensive with a hand-picked selection of white and green teas providing natural health benefits, such as calming and relaxing effects as well as an energy boost that lasts longer than its popular counterpart, coffee.
For a subtle flavour, the Blanc & Rose, a blend of Noble Yin Zhen white tea and tender Oriental rose buds is ideal. Another light and delicate flavour are the plain Yin Zhen, China which provides a mild taste with fresh floral aromas. However, if you prefer a more intense flavour, the Pai Mu Tan offers a woody, original and distinctive aroma.
Guests also have the choice to add a glass of Dom Perignon Champagne or Billecart-Salmon to build on the celebratory experience. In addition, an extensive wine list is on hand for those looking to raise a toast.
The afternoon tea begins with a palette cleanser of Mandarin sorbet, verbena oil and salted mandarin, refreshing the tastebuds for the pastries that follow.
Following on, the ‘Scone Experience’, a selection of a quartet of remarkable, carefully crafted scones accompanied with preserves, imbued with the flavours of Christmas. Complementing the unusual flavours, the pairings include a classic Nature version with clotted cream; a Dried Grapes scone with a Christmas condiment; a Chocolate scone with a truffle Crémeux and a Chamomile scone with emulsified honeycomb.
Diners will then move on to the stars of the show, a set of individual patisseries, traditional, customary Kouglof along with a Christmas pain perdu accompanied by a beer steamed meringue and créme Anglaise with a Préalpato twist.
Concluding this festive tea journey, the dessert course: a centrepiece Christmas Log; Orange and Mandarin tart with hot wine jelly; roasted apple with chestnut mousse and the classic almond French delight with ‘favour’ found in each slice, a classic King Galette.
Complete with a host of festive offerings, the Team room is equipped with a Pop-Up Shop specially created for the season, allowing guests to purchase takeaway goodies. The variety is made up of handmade creations including the Christmas Log (£65), ‘King’ Galette des Rois (£55), Kouglof (£35), Stollen (£25), Christmas Biscuits (£10), and Gingerbread House Kit (£25) for the little ones.
1 Cadogan Pl, London SW1X 9PY
