Beauty and the Beast is hands down my favourite animated film of all time.
Over the past 2.5 decades I’ve watch the movie a countless number of times and have even went so far as to buy all the memorabilia and bric-a-brac including a transformable Beast with a removable mane back when it premiered in 1991.
So when I heard the word that Disney was producing a live-action remake of the classic, I was joyfully hysterical.
In advance of its opening this week, I decided to get into the spirit by boarding a plane and taking off to London to partake in ‘A Tale As Old As Time’ high tea with the Brits.
Short of wearing a blue dress with a white apron, the beautifully stunning Kensington Hotel welcomed me to be THEIR guest, at its one of a kind Beauty and the Beast inspired High Tea!
After being seated beside a roaring fire place, the dance of the dishes began.
Mrs. Potts kicked things off and soon after the rest of the cast joined in.
To start, a playful twist on the delectables from the film.
Beef Ragu & saffron aranchini, Cheese Soufflé and mini venison Pie made their way down my hatch before you you could say “on display”.
Then came “the Baker with his tray like always” and served me mini sweet brioche baguettes with apricot preserves and a chocolate pot.
As well as a selection of mini crustless sandwiches; The Roast Devon Red Chicken with Cranberry being my favourite.
Then the rest of the cast joined in for dessert.
A chocolate ganache Cogsworth tart with gold leafing perched beside Belle’s Yellow Ballgown made from Speculoos and Marzipan.
Tossed right between them was a spiced snowball macaroon with coconut and chocolate (Beauty and the Beast fans will remember that snowball scene from the movie).
Then there was Chip, encouraging me to “Try the grey stuff…” A white chocolate mousse under a velvet-ey grey cloak of whipped cream.
And as promised, “it’s delicious!”
Finally, what would this tea be without the enchanted rose and the moment that the last petal were to drop.
A delicate golden jelly with a single floating rose petal which was later topped with heavy sweet cream.
If he could learn to love another, and earn their love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time.
And I did learn to love.
This was indeed a magical High Tea and the perfect way to celebrate the remake and opening of my favourite Disney classic!
Mr. Fab and the Beast
