LAB Afternoon Tea

To say this year has been fairly eventful, is putting it mildly. Venturing into new waters, learning new skills, pushing boundaries and even garnering the strength and discipline to turn down work when in a time crunch are just a few examples.

One of the most exciting projects I’ve worked with and can also promote publicly is a new menu at Le Artisan Boulangerie. This delightful new bakery in town has expanded into service, starting with a classic Afternoon Tea menu.

What is an Afternoon Tea? And why not high tea?

Well, let me lay it out for you and contradict every notion you perhaps had. Afternoon Tea was customary for royals, and much more extravagance and elegance to it. It served as a tummy filler in between the two main meals.

The high tea that we are so accustomed to was actually referred to a quick bite that the working class had on their way home from their jobs, standing by higher tables (hence, the phrase “High Tea”) a couple of sandwiches with tea – have I just shattered all your visions of English royalty.

At LAB, we are presenting our interpretation of the Afternoon Tea, which we believe to be fit for the royalty of Ahmedabad. You shall be well seated on linen tables to experience a three-tier stand adorned with delicious mini treats and beautiful teas from Three Clive Road.

This project is a collaboration between the three of us: LAB X Kitchen Therapy X The Kitchen Trail (I like to call ourselves the Dynamic Trio) which has from Day One, been an absolute delight and pure enjoyment because it never feels like work, but a truly productive session where we each allow on another that creative space. For me, that’s the beauty of my “job”. We spent hours figuring things out, discussing, sourcing ingredients, cutlery and crockery, designing… you name it and every part of this menu has our heart, soul and love in it.

On a personal note, this is the first menu I’ve designed that is purely eggless – including the cakes! The menu is set to change every month, working with fun ingredients and when possible, with seasonal fruits. Each menu includes finger sandwiches, scones with homemade clotted cream and The Gourmet Jar preserve, and an assortment of sweet treats. The menu is paired with teas from Three Clive Road and is set for two persons.

LAB Afternoon Tea opens it’s doors on Friday, August 31st 2018

Location: Le Artisan Boulangerie: Ground Floor, Magnifico, Opp Avalon Hotel, Off Sindhu Bhavan Road, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad

Contact: 9723231177

Timings: 3PM to 6PM

Kindly note, reservation is required

Photography and Styling: The Kitchen Trail  

Kamini Patel