Is It Tea or Tee Time? My Victorian Tea Menu

I play golf. When asked if it’s “tee time,” I immediately think of 18 holes and driving the ball down the fairway. But when I found My Victorian Tea Menu stashed in the back of my pantry cupboard, my mind wandered back to the early 2000s. I volunteered at the Bennington Museum with the loveliest ladies. To raise funds, we decided to host a Victorian Tea at the Decorator's Showcase House in Old Bennington, Vermont. I took the helm with my considerable food background and can-do attitude, and with the help of the full committee, it turned out to be a smash. The Victorian Tea would be one of three fundraising events I steered, including a Winter Solstice Brunch and Supper Club.

We lugged everything into the historic home, including our fine china, teacups, teapots, fancy trays, and punch bowls—tablecloths, tables, chairs, good silver, ferns, vases, flowers, and linen napkins. It was genuinely unique what a dedicated group of women can do when they put their minds to it. Some members thought we were crazy for using our china for fear of theft, but we threw caution to the wind, and all turned out well. One hundred guests came dressed with hats and gloves. Our friends, mothers, and daughters joined us on the open Victorian Porch.

It was late September, the traditional menu was simply divine: Cucumber Sandwiches with Mint Butter, Asparagus Roulade, Crab Canapes, Buttermilk Scones, Strawberry Butter, Luscious Lemon Cake, Vermont Autumn Tea Punch, and Earl Gray Tea. Members made a dozen or so of each. The Lemon Cake was Mother Myrick’s famous Lemon Lulu. Because it was afternoon and near lunchtime, I remember savory recipes as the most popular foods.

I still have my Victorian Tea books, and the photos are dreamy. Food photos are decadent. English recipe names are distinct eccentric; Scones with Devon Clotted Cream, Potted Shrimp, Crumpets, Rock Cakes, Dundee Cake, Grantham Gingerbreads, Marzipan Fruits, Jelly Sandwiches, Shortbread Squares, Damson Jam, Hot Cross Buns, Lemon Curd, Heavenly Hots, Tartlets, Trifles, Wheat meal Bread, Orange Marmalade, Frosted Grapes, and Spotted Dick.

The books are close at hand on display in My Second Kitchen. The covers remind me of the excellent time we all had. I only have a few faded photos from that event, so it might be time to make new ones. Victorian Tea Time, anyone? Of course, golfers are welcome.

Gayle Donohue Interior Design, My Victorian Home is a new interior design and home staging company that caters to homeowners who love Victorian Homes, Country Homes, and realtors looking to sell or lease them. Located in Hoosick Falls, NY, Gayle Donohue will provide personalized home interior design and home staging services for Victorian and historic residential properties in the Tristate Area of Northeastern, NY, Southern, VT, and Western, MA.

Please call or email me at gdonohue2263@gmail.com 413-884-5684