Psst! I’m pretty sure that’s The Voice’s Sarah de Bono on the right…
It was a Wednesday afternoon I had been looking forward to for weeks. A truly girly afternoon, where I would not only get to have a delicious afternoon tea, I would also get to meet some of my readers, hear more about Dilmah’s charity work and check out the new Langham Hotel. But of course, in this mid season spring weather, I was running late while wrestling with sartorial choices-would it be too hot or cold? Should I wear a hat? Would that tag me as “the only lady wearing a hat in the corner?”
I needn’t have worried. My friend Amanda is patiently waiting for me in the lobby area of the new Langham Hotel. “Why, there’s no Langham Hotel in Sydney!” I hear you say. Well only a few weeks ago it was the Observatory Hotel and I was curious to see how much had changed. Not much to be honest and apparently the $15 million refurbishment is still to come. At present, it looks pretty much like The Observatory used to although with a touch more pink. They reassure us that much more pink is to come. Huge goodie bags packed with teas lined the tables outside and we make our way into the room. There is no assigned seating so we do what we always do and sit at the back of the bus ahem…the room.
Chef ambassador for Dilmah, Flying Fish’s Peter Kuruvita takes to the stage and introduces the family. He first met Dilmah’s founder Merrill J. Fernando when he visited Peter’s restaurant and asked to speak to him. He left him with a “I’ll be watching” and years later, Peter is now an ambassador for them. Dilmah is a family business and Merrill J. Fernando and his son are here from Sri Lanka for this invitation only event.
Their extensive charity work of the MJR Charitable Foundation is the focus here at this event and they show us an inspiring video of the communities whose lives they help enrich. Help takes the form of allowing people to empower themselves to make a better life for themselves by introducing skills. ”I’ve been a tea farmer for 63 years” Merrill J Fernando tells us. The phrase “business is a matter of human service” is paramount as is operating in symbiosis within its environment. He set out to create a unique company and he started with naming Dilmah after his sons Dilhan and Malik.
Everyone is too well behaved to start eating while he is talking although hunger and the appealing tiers of sandwiches proves too much for some. The selection at today’s event is made up of a selection of four Dilmah teas (although only two made it around to our table, the Meda Watte and Uda Watte). There are also sweet and savoury goodies including two recipes that won the Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge. This is where the public were invited to submit recipes incorporating tea for a chance to win a trip to Sri Lanka. They would also be announcing the winners later on that day.
We start with the bottom tier of goodies. There are three types of sandwiches: the smoked salmon, cucumber and egg & mayonnaise. They’re all good although I did particularly like the egg and mayonnaise as there was more filling in these than the others. The Quiche Lorraine was rich and creamy with a beautifully thin and buttery shell. The highlight however was the green tea and jasmine smoked duck breast with celeriac remoulade on brioche toast-this was the another winner of the Real High Tea challenge and the duck was succulent, the celeriac remoulade lent a slight crunch and divine creaminess and the brioche toast was the perfect vehicle to transport these morsels into our mouths. I only wish they’d given us the names of the winners so we could know who created these lovely recipes.
The middle layer of scones (plain and fruited) came with little glass pots of strawberry jam and clotted cream. I only meant to eat a mouthful of each but they were really quite good and before I knew it, they were both gone.
I exercised a bit more restraint on the pastries and tea cakes which were on the top layer. I started with a mini square fruit tart which was fine but the tart shell was too thick and it only had the tiniest dot of custard in it. The chocolate mousse was very dark and rich and in a chocolate cone which had turned a little wet.
The other side of the sweets layer
The macarons were very lightly flavoured and sweet perhaps needing a bit more flavour to them. My favourite ended up being the orange and poppyseed cupcake which was moist and full of flavour although we all at first thought that it might be a chocolate or mocha cupcake based on appearance.
The second item from the Dilmah Real High Tea competition was the orange and almond tea baklava from last year’s winner Alison Battersby. I’ve actually made this dessert for the High Tea series that I filmed and the recipe was delicious although this version needed more syrup which is where the orange and almond tea comes in.
The winners were then announced and a surprise was that there was only supposed to be one winner making their way to Sri Lanka. Instead, they announced that because the standard of entries was so high, there were be four overjoyed winners jetting off to Sri Lanka and they were Kittea Kelsey, Sue Collins and Sandy & J.D. Wingrove!
The Globe Bar
And although the tea, cakes and hearing all about Dilmah was fantastic, the icing on the proverbial cake was meeting with some of my readers. Some of you like Matilda (who sends me the most divine Italian biscuits every Christmas) and Jaqi have been long time readers and it was fantastic to meet others like Katerina, Clare, Meg, Alex, Sylvia, Valentina and Dilhara who were so sweet to come up and say hello (please forgive me if I’ve missed a name!). They were as delightful as I know you all to be so I thank you for making it a very special day!
So tell me Dear Reader, which charities do you think deserve a shout out because of the good work they do? And do you always finish the entire afternoon tea?
NQN attended the Charitea as a guest of Dilmah
The Langham
89/111-113 Kent Street Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Tel: +61 (02) 9256 2222
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36 Comments | Add your own
I could have shown no restraint with any of that tea. Lovely. Every layer.
I am proud of the work Mujeres en Cambio, (mujeresencambio.org), an NGO I work with in Mexico. One of the main things we do is provide over 150 scholarships to young women and girls (8th grade – university) who live in poor rural areas of Mexico. We now have about 40 in university! We also have helped a group of women set up a community project to sell their hooked rugs.
I’ve never come across a charity I didn’t like. They serve the common good and I’ve never come across anybody who doesn’t support some kind of charity. I’m all for it
It looks like a lovely high tea and what a pretty hotel!
What a great story!! I am sure you would have felt the true warmth and passion of the company at the High Tea! I am not surprised they awarded 4 people the prize! Like Dilhan said in Sydney, we are a family company, we can add a surprise or two.
The dessert look wonderful… But I have to say I love the company and the social and environmental commitment they have… Very jealous you were able to enjoy all those yummy dessert!
How absolutely lovely! I’ve only been to one high tea and that was for my SILs baby shower 12 years ago! I’ll try to keep up from Barcelona this week, but if not, please forgive me.
I support the Deaf Society, World Vision,Autism and Cerebral Palsy, but there are many more in need of support.
It was a lovely afternoon. I was impressed by Dilmah’s commitment to helping others. My favourite from the food selection was the green tea and jasmine smoked duck breast with celeriac remoulade on brioche toast and I agree that the chocolate cone did suffer from sitting too long before being eaten but the flavour of the mousse was delightful. Thanks Lorraine for the opportunity to attend.
Who can ever finish an afternoon tea? Once I’ve had scones and cream I’m done, totally. There are many very worthwhile charities working in less developed countries but I support Help For Heroes for soldiers and the families of soldiers involved in the current conflicts. GG
What a nice way to spend an afternoon indeed! I’ve been to a Dilmah presentation before, and their charity work really is commendable. The difference make in real peoples lives is amazing. I plan on supporting them by drinking many, many cups of their fantastic Earl Grey tea- my favourite
Oh, and I always eat all my afternoon tea, my mother taught me it was bad manners not to eat everything on my plate
Thanks Lorraine – We had a great time there!
This post has me craving high tea now!
I definitely think Peru’s Challenge (http://www.peruschallenge.com/) from Cusco, Peru and Bahay Tuluyan (http://www.bahaytuluyan.org/) working in Manila and surrounds, Philippines, deserve a lot of attention.
I was lucky enough to be able to work with both organisations and the work they do, and the people who do it, are incredible and it was fantastic to see how much community involvement and consultation there was in the work they were doing. They are so dedicated and hard-working, it was great to have a chance to be part of that for a little while!
Hi!! I was the winner for the even in Melbourne, but it was so late notice that I’d I couldn’t attend- buy sent my girlfriend who I knew would love it.. Yes the goodie bag was great I love the tea timer.
My shout out goes to – the cancer council in honor of my late mother and also to The Very Special Kid.
I’d like to say no, I would never gobble down an entire high tea, but I would be lying!
Dilmah is my favourite supermarket tea. I don’t know how they do it but their jasmine green is so much better than all the other brands.
Oh and ChildFund Australia – although they do not receive the amount of publicity that World Vision does, they are doing fantastic work for kids and communities around the world and definitely deserve more attention than they currently get
Oh they always serve way more than anyone can eat! There were some delicious eats featured at your tea – I would have had a hard time choosing. I am having a tea on the 30th for Habitat for Humanity.
I agree, Lorraine. It was so lovely to finally meet you face to face
Big thanks to Dilmah for a wonderful High Tea event.
It’s inspiring to meet a family who have created such an ethical business, and as consumers it feels good knowing that we are supporting a company which puts “human service” first. I also thought the tea smoked duck breast with celeriac remoulade was the highlight of the culinary offerings. Yum yum! It has inspired me to expand my savoury repertoire… Have a lovely day and enjoy this Sydney Spring weather!:-)
Oh how I love a high tea … I don’t think I could resist those sammies. There are so many great charities, but in particular I like the Leukaemia Foundation and Mummy’s Wish, because I’ve seen first hand the good work they do.
Looking at the quality of that food, I think I would have to make the effort to finish one of everything … it’s only polite, right?
Thank you for the mention, it was lovely meeting you! I was very excited when I saw you sitting in the opposite corner!
To answer your questions- I think all charities do good work and deserve a shout out although that is near impossible!
I always try to finish high teas, firstly because it’s my favourite ‘meal’ and secondly because the food is usually so beautiful that I feel it is a waste not to!
Xx
What a lovely looking high tea and how fun to meet your readers! So sweet of Matilda to send you those Christmas cookies:)
A wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of what each and every one of us can do to help those in need both here and overseas. Have been involved with UNICEF and MSF overseas, brought up children thru’ ‘The Plan’ and am very interested in SEDA [Seeing Eye Dogs of Australia], together with Vision Australia . . . amongst a number of other welfare groups. For various reasons to each their own . . ,.
ABSOLUTELY LOVED (in Adelaide) Dilmah’s Charity High Tea!
WOW re the standard of entries for both consumer and professional recipe!
In my opinion, should be more people and companies in the world like Merrill J Fernando and his sons, as they create (even with the employees for life) a philosophy surrounding everyone being a part of the Dilmah family!
Their conservation efforts, helping the underprivileged, disabled is REMARKABLE to me!
I would love an afternoon tea like that and yes, I always sit back and wait for someone else to take the first sandwich. The hotel looks lovely and yes, I’m quite sure that blinding hair belongs to Sarah xx
WOW i didn’t know there was a new Langham hotel in Sydney
it looks so pretty ~ I am SUPER lucky to have gone to the Dilmah Charitea as your guest! Thank you again for inviting me Lorraine!
I had a super fantastic time and the food was just as pretty as your high tea but hahaha i think setting wise the Langham hotel was probably a little bit nicer than the Albert Park
It is truly amazing how much charitea the Dilmah family do and their efforts to promote equality
Hi Lorraine, the three-tier afternoon tea looks gorgeous. If I’m not mistaken, The Langham in London is very famous for their afternoon teas as well.
What a wonderful outing my friend, good cause and support and it must have been awesome to meet and greet with other bloggers and readers
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
High tea is always amazing no matter where in the world you are or.. what your hotel is called. YUMMO.
“restraint ” being the operative word! Gosh, everything looks amazing. But besides the food, the event was def inspiring. I love what they do and how they help people make use of their trade and start making a living out of it.
What a beautiful and inspiring afternoon, and well worth it too. Adored the snacks…
I completely forgot to enter or I may have joined you at the charitea! hehe ^^” Everything looks so beautiful and I always worry about what if I’m over/under-dressing too!
Such a lovely afternoon Lorraine but my highlight was meeting you!
I couldn’t see you at first and then was told that you were sitting right at the back table in the corner. Now I know (because you told me) that you like the best position in the room so as to take everything in. Younger daughter Gabriella was upset that she couldn’t join me and in turn meet you, having started a new job Monday of that week. Maybe next time.
Eldest daughter Stephanie on the other hand devoured so much food, lucky she dances, has two small children to run after thereby burning it all off. I didn’t try the Tea-smoked duck breast, it disappeared, guess I was a tad slow,lol. The scones were delicious, I may be wrong but think they were made with buttermilk.
It was inspiring and a real eye-opener to see just how much charity work the MJF foundation does and isn’t he the nicest gentleman!
The High Tea was divine and there was so much yumminess to eat but I did show restraint as we were in fine company
I do adore High Tea, thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity.
I have been sponsoring children through World Vision for many years now , it’s great to see their progress and the skills that are taught so the villagers can become self-sufficient. I realise that administration takes a slice of every dollar but to help a child grow, become educated , learn work and life skills , is a great satisfaction. I also help other charities based in Australia but one can only do so much.
Have I ever attended a High Tea? I would have a hard time not trying everything! This looks beautiful! And I am proud to say that my mom has been a volunteer (plus treasurer) for the Brevard Association for the Advancement of the Blind in Florida. When I was a kid, I would help her proofread books she was transscribing into Braille.
I love charity high teas. Not only for sumptuous foods, but for the generosity to help less than fortunate in the society.
Oooh, how delightful!
What a lovely afternoon and for a great cause too!
I had an invite to the Melbourne event but couldn’t make it in the end because I was sick with a virus
Oh well, there’s always next year…
You go the coolest places!
Hi Lorraine, im pleased to hear that you had a lovely time at the Dilmah Charitea.Dilmah are just amazing and the more people know about their great work ethic and values the better. I just wanted to quickly post to say thank you for your lovely comment about my baklava. Alison Battersby
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