The day my life changed was a cold, cloudy Sunday and my only day off from filming a Sony movie called, “The Hunted”. We had been battling the elements in Port Angeles, WA, trying to finish up what had been a grueling film shoot.
Kidnapped by some co-workers who knew I needed some down time, we headed over to Victoria, BC on the ferry. As we approached the island, I braved the freezing wind to watch the harbor come into view from the front deck. And there, ruling over the small town, was the Fairmont Empress Hotel, rising from the fog and mist.
AFTERNOON TEA
Until that day, my idea of afternoon tea was pulling up a chair to my grandmother’s kitchen table with a tall glass of southern iced sweet tea.
As I settled into a plush upholstered chair I knew this would be different. The table was set with white linens, matching china teacups and posh silver utensils. I folded my hands in my lap, afraid to touch anything, feeling like an outsider. Surely somebody would figure out that I didn’t belong here.
The waiter, dressed smartly in black pants, white shirt and black tie, approached us with tea menus. I decided to own the truth and blurted out, “I’ve never had afternoon tea before.” He looked at me sternly, then broke out into a huge smile, thrilled to introduce me to the tradition.
Upon his recommendation I ordered the specialty blended Fairmont Breakfast Tea while my companions order a variety of other teas. The teas were presented in shining silver pots. Before he served, he poured hot water in each of our cups, swirling it around, before deposing of it. “You must warm the cup first”, he said matter of factly. “Then put your milk in, before the tea.” My friends balked at this but he quickly added, “It is the English way” and they succumbed.
With my fumble fingers I used the silver tongs to place sugar cubes in the tan colored liquid until it reached the perfect merger of flavor, creaminess and sweetness. I sipped it, pinky in the air and felt like royalty.
It is no surprise I felt like a princess since the china I was drinking from was rumored to have been used during two Royal Visits, one in 1939 and the second in 1951.
I soon learned that tea was only half of the treat for afternoon tea. A stack of goodies arrived next. Delicate cucumber and salmon sandwiches, Empress Tea Scones with fresh jams and decedent chocolate treats, mini cream puffs and other sweet delights.
Having never had a scone before, I was surprised not to bite into the sugared fluffiness of a southern biscuit. Instead it tasted dry and a bit bland. Until I was introduced to clotted cream, jams and lemon curd. Heaven in my mouth.
We spent the afternoon there, leisurely tasting all the teas ordered, stuffing scones in our mouths and forgetting about the stress and pressures of our jobs.
It wasn’t until later that I learned that The Fairmont Empress Hotel, during the summer months, serves more afternoon tea than all the hotels in London combined.
As for me, I discovered a new love. One that would lead me to seek out a variety of afternoon teas around the world, tasting each country in its tea and being treated like royalty. We all deserve that every once in a while.
Do you have a favorite place for afternoon tea?
Photo Credits: Fairmont Empress Hotel