It looks good enough to eat…
By Ruth, 25/05/2010
Appropriately, with London being one of the top fashion capitals of the world, I had a fascinating experience of a culinary Challenger nature last week at the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge.
Originally launched in 2004, but proving such a success that first year that it is still booked weeks in advance, I was treated to afternoon tea, with a twist, in the form of …’Pret a Portea’.
Twice a year, to coincide with the launch of the new fashion collections by all the top designers, the Berkeley chefs and pastry ‘stylists’ create an amazing array of cakes, biscuits and mini desserts,’inspired by the themes and colours of the current fashion season’. They are currently displaying their Autumn/Winter 2009 collection.
To say they are inspired by the themes is an understatement. When the first selection arrives, you are treated to an explanation by your waiter using a colour photograph, as a visual tool, of, for example, Valentino’s latest style, perfectly replicated on the plate as a fondant fancy. Or a Dior shift, recreated as an iced biscuit in all the right colours. How about an Anya Hindmarch handbag, fashioned into a delicious edible delicacy? And so it goes on, until you have what must be an entire collection before you to wonder at, or eat, as you so desire…
Accompanied by your choice of either a glass of champagne and/or a pot of tea, this unusual dining experience is certainly one to remember for its style and pizzazz, (forget the expanding waistline for now). Amidst fierce competition, original thinking has never been more important, and this struck me as a great example. You even get a little take home selection, beautifully presented in a Pret a Portea handbag made of card.
How to stand out from the crowd and attract the jaded local afternoon tea crowd, as well as enthusiastic tourists or visiting fashionistas keen for a slice of stylish London …in one easy Challenger lesson.
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