One of life's pleasures is an indulgent high tea. How about a Guinness World Record breaking…read moreattempt high tea, with 549 other guests, al fresco, on Glenelg pier? Who would dream up such a thing?
The Stamford Grand as it turns out.
With no advertising, the event sold out within 2 weeks.
Sun shining and sea breeze blowing, we signed the Guinness World Record register for the World's Longest Cream Tea, found our seats, and were offered a glass of Jacobs Creek bubbles.
Everyone was jolly, despite the increasing sea gusts, as we were all in it to support Novita Children's Services.
We were dutifully informed that there was a contingency of Guinness World Record officials monitoring our every move. The defining act - taking at least one sip of tea and eating at least one bite of scone each - to secure the record.
A tantalising glimpse at the menu tempted us as we sipped bubbly and were offered refills of our tea by a smiling steward.
Before too long, and surprisingly quick given the huge amount of people to cater for, a two tier stand arrived laden with sandwiches, hot savouries including the Stamford Grand's signature curry (chicken) puff and tandoori chicken skewers, scones, and teeny cakes. There were fruit tarts, banana cake squares, mixed berry mouse, and mango pavlova's.
Awaiting a special meal (vegetarian) I was informed that I would get my very own plate. Well given the chill wind I couldn't wait and did my bit for the Guinness World Record and sampled the scones and other sweets. The scones were perfectly warm and short, accompanied with a variety of jams and whipped cream. My favourite sweet was the fruit tart with lovely pastry, custard and glazed fruit.
Having been marked off the register for the Record, my individual vegetarian plate arrived.
It is most impressive that dietary considerations are accommodated for such a large scale event. Plus everything on the plate was delicious! A vegie skewer of barbequed veg had nice smokey and sweet flavour, there was a tasty samosa, finger sandwiches including pesto sun dried veg, guacamole, and salad, a piece of orange syrup cake, and carrot & walnut cake.
It was at about this point that a particularly gusty burl of wind air lifted my mother in law's hat and sent it soaring effortlessly across the jetty onto the beach below. Justin Higgins, General Manager of the Stamford Grand shouted "I'll get it!" and so he did, collecting some sir lifted napkins and glasses at the same time.
We had the opportunity to ask if the long high tea would happen again, and all signs point to yes due to the success.
As the weather was closing in, once we had supped on the delicious goodies, we took to the promenade back along the jetty. Smiling staff, as on arrival, farewelled us, welcomed us back soon, and told us that if the world record bid was successful, that we could expect our certificates in the mail.
