“They have a Tea Master!” says my friend, the PR superstar The Second Wife. She knows of my major love of tea and she tells me that the kind people at the Sir Stamford have invited me and a friend to High Tea at their Circular Quay location so I’m taking along Queen Viv for today’s ride. And at 2pm I’m walking along the marbled floors, past the huge gilt edged paintings and into the gorgeous Bar where High Tea is held every afternoon in a very hushed, elegant style.
Queen Viv and I are poured water from a silver jug and sparkling wine as soon as we sit down which is lovely for our parched souls. After browsing through the tea menu we see why they have a tea master – they take their tea very seriously here and the brand of choice is Ronnefeldt of Germany, one of my favourite teas.
There are enticing Green and White tea varieties and a South African Vanilla Roibosh (Rooibos) that Queen Viv selects but I’m more of a black tea drinker so I select the Wild Cherry from India. I’ve often spoken of my witching hour around 4pm when I feel vulnerable to sugary snacks and concoctions in order to boost my energy levels. Apparently according to the tea menu, the Countess of Bedford felt the same calling it “a sinking feeling” during this time.
Teapots and hourglass
The teapots of tea arrive with The Austrian Tea Master, Robert Gachiel who sets down an hourglass timer set to 3 minutes for our tea to steep. He tells us he is one of five Certified Tea Masters in Australia. Ronnefeldt started training tea masters a few years ago when they saw a gap in the market. Gachiel is currently on silver status with the gold status to come next year when he completes the Gold programme in Sri Lanka where they are required to oversee and participate in all aspects of tea from the very beginning where it is grown to visiting the old tea factory. Tea Masters need to identify 18 types of tea leaves both wet and dry and complete oral and written examinations before they reach Gold Tea Master status and join the 60 or so people around the world that share the title.
Robert Gachiel, Tea Master
Once the requisite three minutes is up, Gachiel is back to pour our tea. We try both teas and they’re beautifully aromatic and strong. I adore my Wild Cherry tea but Queen Viv’s Vanilla tea is also delicious.
Our three tiers of heaven
Our three tier display arrives, with four icing dusted scones with strawberry jam and King Island cream on top; a pair each of chocolate hazelnut mousse in a chocolate cup, Tuscan orange and poppyseed cake, chocolate and hazelnut brownie, white chocolate creme brulee, and 4 types of sandwiches at the bottom: egg and dill; smoked salmon, ham and Swiss cheese and cucumber.
Starting with the savoury, we try the sandwiches-they’re all divine and fresh. The round egg and dill sandwiches and the Swiss cheese and ham are particular favourites of mine but needless to say they were eagerly scoffed with pinkie raised.
The top layered scones are light, fresh and warm and I spread them thickly with strawberry jam and King Island cream and before I know it, I’ve eaten two of them without even noticing.
The middle layer of miniature cakes are an adorable range of mini tiramisu (lovely and light); chocolate hazelnut brownie (rich and fudgey); Tuscan orange and poppyseed cake (a favourite, delightfully moist and redolent with orange zest); white chocolate creme brulee (divine, Queen Viv’s favourite) and a chocolate nut mousse housed in a small chocolate cup which is has unusual peanutty chocolate flavour. Later on that afternoon he stops to refill our teapots.
Before we know it, the clock strikes 5 o’clock and we’ve been chatting for hours over this 3 tier stand of deliciousness and gorgeously aromatically tea. Every High Tea needs a tea master I think. Scratch that - every house needs a Tea Master.
Did I mention how much I love the paintings?
High Tea in The Bar
Sir Stamford at Circular Quay
93 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW
Tel: 9252 4600
ETA: Sadly the Tea Master has departed the Sir Stamford but they are looking for a replacement Tea Master.
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35 Comments | Add your own
Sounds like a lovely afternoon!
Gorgeous!! I want a Tea Master! And a three-tiered arrangement of tea snacks! And a place as lovely as that to enjoy them. Oh, tea, how I love you so.
So elegant and luxurious place full of personality not only for a cup of tea!
After seeing the three tier display with the deliciousness I’m increasing my weight
Cheers!
Gera
Ooh that looks divine! My favourite high teas have been at The Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks and The Victoria Room, but I have to try the Sir Stamford next!
lovely!!!! im adding it to my list of to-eats!
Ahhh I have a serious weakness for high tea and this one looks fabulous! Those scones look so light…and I wonder what that Heavenly High Tea is like, it sounds…heavenly!
That looks so civilised – the paintings and chandeliers are lovely! I love the way the tea was prepared by a master. The warm scones sound great too.
I love it! The high tea looks fabulous. Sparkling wine during the day is so decadent and fun. Will definitely have to go soon.
Forget the tea. We want the food. The mini sandwiches always look so cute. Cute enough to gobble up. The desserts look just as amazing.
YES! I love it when you do your afternoon tea reviews! Was that the traditional high tea you had? Also how was the wild cherry tea? Sounds fabulous.
The only thing that concerns me is what looks like a small portion of cream for the scones…
I much prefer tea to coffee, so I’d love to have it served by a Tea Master (never knew there was such a thing!). Looks like Sir Stamford is a must-visit.
I adore the high tea concept! I didn’t know Sir Stamford does them too – all these different places around Sydney that do high tea is making me excited! Mmmm….
Wow I didn’t even realise there was such a thing as a tea master…how cool! Your tea sounds lovely…I adore cherries so I can only imagine what it’s like as a tea…high tea is always a luxurious treat!
The white chocolate creme brulee sounds absolutely fantastic! (as does everything else!)
though I’ve never had it before, I love the idea of a proper tea. Makes me feel all dignified and British and poised, and suddenly I drink with my pinky sticking out!
I love it when someone else makes the sandwiches with the crusts cut off and doesn’t monitor the amount of butter spread on the bread, especially the cucumber ones! The buffet at the Sir Stamford has always been lovely and extremely classy, will now have to add a high tea experience to my list of meals there!
MMMMM…It looks as a wonderful & yummie place!! A real tea master especially for you & your friend!! It all looks very royal & delicious to me!! I love the paintings too!
I was lucky enough to be treated to afternoon tea here, for my birthday last year, Lorraine.
It was so special and beautiful and the hotel is divine. So I am glad you enjoyed it. Always great to do it with a fabulous girlfriend too.
What a gorgeous room! I get that 4pm sugar craving as well, damn it! Omg I never knew there were such things as Tea Masters! I agree, every house needs one!
I loved your description of the high tea – i have such an unnatural craving for it all the time, it must be the kitsch-ness of it all, and the finger sandwiches.. nothing beats a divinely fresh and light finger sandwich. ah..high tea – too good
that’s what i call a tower of goodies!
say, is there such a thing as “low tea”? don’t judge me–i’m unfamiliar with this “high tea” business and am genuinely curious.
Sounds like a fantastic way to pass some time…
Fantastic photos, especially <3 the one of the sparkling wine.
The timer for the tea is a lovely touch – indeed that of a tea master.
Hee hee a Tea Master? Is there a Tea Knight or Squire as well
? Hmmm haven’t high tea-ed in so loong, must try soon thhxx ^^!
Sounds like a wonderful experience.
I wish I was there
yarm! i am taking my mum here when she visits. looks so good.
Hi Barbara-It was gorgeous indeed!
Hi anna-I think everyone should have a tea master!
Hehe thankyou! 
Hi Gera-Hehe I’m training for a bout on Mount Everest-or at least that’s my excuse
Hi KT-Oddly enough, I haven’t tried either but they sound great!
Hi betty-It’s so lovely in there-I have many fond memories of going to the bar during High School
Hi Steph-Me too! I love it
Yes I wonder about that one too! I didn’t see anyone around us getting it though.
Hi Arwen-It felt very civilised. Why can’t every day end with High Tea?
Hi romaverona-Wonderful! Let me know what you think of it if you go
Hi The Duo Dishes-Hehe yes mini anything is adorable!
Hi Javs-Hehe cool! I love doing them
Yes it was the traditional high tea 
It was delicious! Although it is hard to narrow down a tea as they’re all so fab sounding! We didn’t use all of the cream as it was really rich, like butter I suppose 
Hi Belle-Yes I adore tea! I never knew either but it’s a great idea!
It’s definitely a must visit 
Hi Trisha-Me too! Yes we’re spoilt for High Tea locations although this has got to be one of my favourites because I love my tea
Hi Alexandra-Hehe yes I think it’s a new thing!
An afternoon having High Tea is such a nice idea!
Hi Anita-That was sooo good!! And the sandwiches were delicious and hmmm everything else was fab!
Hi Sophia-Oh really? It’s so lovely! Hehe I don’t know if I drink with my pinkie raised all the time
Hi Moya-Me too! I love other people’s sandwiches! Cucumber always does well thickly buttered doesn’t it. Definitely, it’s worth it!
Hi Sophie-It felt so royal and lovely I have to say. I wonder what the rooms are like if the bar and lobby are anything to go by, they’d be lovely!
Hi jules-Oh wonderful! So you know exactly what I mean
Yes it’s always best done with a girlfriend. Straight men don’t seem to get it (well at least my husband doesn’t 
).
Hi Betty -Yes where can I get my hands on one? They’d only need to work for 5-10 minutes of the day!
Hi M-Thankyou! Me too, I’d drop everything to have a High Tea
It’s magical isn’t it! 
Hi grace-Hehe yes! Who could say no? Funny you ask that- High Tea is actually what the working class had, despite the name. Afternoon tea or low tea is what the upper classes had!
Hi Cate-It was a gorgeous way to while away an afternoon
Hi Tina-Thankyou! I know, I should really get myself one of those timers
Hi FFichiban-Haha I don’t know, are you volunteering for the position?
Hi Artemis-It was gorgeous!
You guys have some amazing ones near you I believe-can we swap places for a few days? 
Hi holly-Oh fantastic! I bet she’ll love it if she’s a High tea fan (and what girl isn’t really
).
I have always wanted to high tea at the Stamford – now I want it even more! Those scones look like deliciously fluffy pillows – they’re scones baby, but not as we know it.
Yum. I don’t get to go to high teas often enough, I’ve decided!
Hi Cakelaw-Oh you should if you get the chance
Loved the room, the warm scones and the tea and tea master!
Hi Y-Imagine having one every day? Now that would be fab!
Disappointed with standard of the Heavenly High Tea and the morsels of seafood were missing but were ‘invited’ back. Beautfil! Returned recently again no seafood portions(as advertised). Both times our written complaints were not acknowldeged(we had to follow up)
No ‘sir’ these ladies will not be back!
Hi Debbie-Oh no, what a shame about that! I wonder why they still advertise it if they don’t do it
GSCHIEL – that is how you spell his name. Very basic journalism fail.
Jennifer-what a charming way of correcting someone. Actually that was the spelling I was given and that is the spelling that has been used in several stories over other publications.
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[...] The above is the Pink High Tea which is slightly different as it was a one off High Tea but please see my previous story on the regular Sir Stamford Traditional High Tea [...]
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