by Sunaina Serna Ahluwalia

Saki once said “Find yourself a cup; the teapot is behind you. Now tell me hundreds of things” and he was absolutely right! Tea time is something special, a time when we can relax, unwind and catch up with friends and there is no more quintessential British ritual than the ceremony and serving of afternoon tea!

It is believed that credit for the custom goes to Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford in the early 19th century. With dinner usually being served between 8 and 9 pm the Duchess found herself hungry by late afternoon. To stave off the hunger, she would order tea, bread and butter and cakes to be served in her room. The taking of tea gradually spread from the home and out into society. Tea was then served at four o’ clock in the new tea lounges of luxury hotels. The Ritz being one of the most famous, and high-end stores such as Fortnum and Mason and was often accompanied by light music and sometimes even a little dancing.

Taking a cue from that at the Women’s Guild in Oman (WGO) on Tuesday , the 1st of April, 54 lucky ladies from the WGO, myself included, went along to the Al Bustan Ritz Carlton Hotel in Muscat for a Chocolate Fondue demonstration followed by Morning High Tea. It was truly a memorable occasion, filled with exquisite bites and great conversation.

The highlight of the morning was the Chocolate Fondue demonstration set up by Executive Chef Joergen Sodemann and his two young assistants Kevin and Julia who guided us through the ‘short and sweet’ steps involved in mastering different kinds of chocolate fondue.

Demonstration and tasting over, we headed back to our tables where a feast fit for a Queen awaited us. Delicious scones, clotted cream and jam, delicate little sandwiches, petit fours, chocolate pastries among so many others and all accompanied by tea, coffee, juice and some delicious hot chocolate. Scones, were originally a Scottish quick bread that got its name from the Stone (or Scone) of Destiny, the place where Scottish Kings were once crowned. It was perhaps fitting and a true testament to their taste and quality, that a Scottish lady on my table should rate them 9 out of 10!

Did that morning make us feel indulgently happy? I’d say a definite ‘Yes’ and I think so would the 53 other ladies who joined us for the event. In closing, I will share my favourite quote on chocolate by Dave Barry: “My therapist told me the way to achieve inner happiness was to finish what I start. So today I have finished 2 bags of M&Ms and a chocolate cake. I feel better already!”

Details of all WGO events and activities can be found on the WGO website under Calendar of Events and News Extra sections.