Sandra‘s Closet

Arriving perfectly dressed for the new season, the S/S 2022 Prêt-à-Portea collection at The Berkeley London showcases couture cakes inspired by designers from Lanvin to Gucci. A contemporary twist on afternoon tea, this playful and stylish edit is set to become another favourite for sweet-toothed fashionistas.

This season’s collection opens with Oscar de la Renta – a striking orange gown crafted with apricot bavarois, salted Manuka honey and apricot ganache, topped with a meringue frill. A hero handbag from Michael Kors – whose bags were seen filled with flowers on the catwalk – has been created as a Victoria sponge with fresh strawberry jam, wrapped in an Opalys chocolate cylinder with flowers intricately piped with lime butter cream.

Gucci’s pink silk tuxedo has been reimagined in bourbon vanilla mousse and Emmanuel sponge, layered with peach compote and glazed with shimmering pink icing. This is finished with a thin chocolate jacket and bow tie. Meanwhile, Lanvin’s towering floral platform heels will stomp down the cakewalk made from chocolate biscuit, painstakingly piped with royal icing.

Schiaparelli’s couture golden mini dress combines caramel sponge, dark Valrhona chocolate and hazelnut praline, all topped with a shimmering, chocolate oversized collar. Richard Quinn’s buttercup yellow gown is immortalised in ice cream – chocolate wafer cones are filled with fresh fruit compote and pineapple and star anise sorbet, topped with bright yellow chocolate waves.

Finally, the Prêt-à-Portea pastry team have created a showstopper of a cake – designed to share – paying homage to Saint Laurent’s floral jumpsuit. An oversized red rose made of lychee mousse with fresh raspberry is set on a glossy white coconut cake, and finished with a green chocolate leaf.

As always, the tea also includes elegant canapés and sandwiches, with a selection of loose-leaf teas from the extensive collection.
Afternoon Tea is served Monday – Sunday: 1pm – 5.30pm.

Cannot wait to be back in London!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © The Berkeley and Courtesy of the Brands
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Arriving perfectly dressed for the new season, the F/W 2021 Prêt-à-Portea collection at The Berkeley Hotel in London showcases couture cakes inspired by designers from Ganni to Gucci. A contemporary twist on afternoon tea, this playful and stylish edit is set to become another favourite for sweet-toothed fashionistas.

This season’s collection opens with a striking ensemble from Balenciaga Couture – reimagined as a velvety mandarin cheesecake, topped with an oversized chocolate hat. While a delicately spiced and intricately iced biscuit – complete with red lipstick and oversized glasses – is our pastry team’s fitting tribute to fashion icon Iris Apfel’s 100th birthday.

Seasonal flavours are firmly on the menu, with the cassis mousse with blackcurrant jelly, depicting Stella McCartney’s psychedelic jumpsuit. A Pink Lady apple pavlova is a refreshing nod to Giambattista Valli’s avant-garde look, and a hazelnut dacquoise with salted caramel sees cult Danish brand Ganni make its Prêt-à-Portea debut.

The season’s centrepiece is a made-to-share red velvet mascarpone mousse, finished with a chocolate truffle riding hat – straight from Gucci’s 100th anniversary collection.

As always, your tea also includes elegant canapés and sandwiches, with a selection of loose-leaf teas from our extensive collection.

Until 2 January 2022, festive Prêt-à-Portea will be served only, from £79 per person. This will include our fashion-inspired delicacies, as well as festive treats and your choice of a mocktail, a glass of champagne or a glass of mulled wine.

From 11 – 14 Feburary, 26 & 27 March and 15 – 18 April 2022, the seasonal Prêt-à-Portea will be served only, from £79 per person. This will include our fashion-inspired delicacies, as well as seasonal treats and your choice of a glass of champage or a mocktail.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © The Berkeley and Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: This post is not sponsored.

When you come to London, I don’t want you to miss this season’s Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley, the legendary designer afternoon tea inspired by the world of fashion, that sees the iconic designs of Christian Dior take to the cakewalk for an unprecedented solo show inspired by the exhibition I told you about earlier this week – Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams at the V&A Museum.

The Dior Couture Collection transforms landmark pieces into exquisite biscuits, bakes and fancies. From the Junon Dress worn by Theo Graham at Le Pré Catalan in Paris 1949 to the Bar Jacket which has been synonymous with Dior since it took to the catwalk in 1947 as part of the «New Look,» each piece this season takes inspiration from Dior’s fashion history.

Your tea also includes a flavoursome collection of miniature savoury skewers, taster spoons, elegant canapés and tea sandwiches. To drink, choose a loose leaf tea from the hotel’s extensive collection.

Email: dining@the-berkeley.co.uk
Call: +44 (0)20 7107 8866
Please note that the Dior Couture Collection will be served until 29 September 2019.

Prêt-à-Portea is priced at £60.00 per person.
Champagne Prêt-à-Portea, with a glass of Laurent-Perrier, £70.00 per person.
Signature Mocktail Prêt-à-Portea, with a glass of a refreshing Mango & Rooibos mocktail, £70.00 per person.
Couture Champagne Prêt-à-Portea, with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Rosé, Bollinger Rosé or Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, £76.00 per person.

We had such a great time and I hope that you will enjoy it as well!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht