UK's Tea Board

 April 18 2013

 The Tea Board of the UK have a web site and I have copied below
  the awards for 2013 which should be of interest to our readers

 


Davenport s Tea Room

awarded UK’s top

Tea Place 2013

12th April 2013

An Alice in Wonderland themed tea room in Northwich,

Cheshire, has been named as the best place in the UK

to enjoy afternoon tea, after winning the prestigious

Tea Guild's Top Tea Place Award 2013.

Davenports Tea Room was awarded this coveted honour in praise of its scones, made from a closely guarded 1930’s recipe, charming décor, extensive range of loose leaf tea and welcoming staff. Taking the theme of Alice in Wonderland as Lewis Carroll (pen name for Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) was born less than two miles away, Davenport's tea room is very much steeped in British traditions with lace table cloths and fine bone china, just some of Davenports ‘signature’ characteristics.

Now in its 28th year, The UK Tea Council’s Tea Guild Awards are considered the Oscars of the tea industry. To seek out the finest tea experience in the UK,
a team of expert tea inspectors undertake clandestine afternoon tea
assignations in tea rooms and hotels across Britain.

The judges - who all dine anonymously and pay like regular clientele -
follow strict guidelines and criteria that cover every aspect of the
afternoon tea experience.

 

The Tea Guild has also awarded 37 special Awards of Excellence
to tea rooms across Britain in recognition of outstanding quality
and consistently high standards in tea service.

Head of The Tea Guild Irene Gorman said: “Our members really
trust and strive to win this award and once again the standard
of entrants this year  was incredibly high. The tradition of
afternoon tea has never been stronger and Tea Guild members
are busier than ever.

“Davenports Tea Room in Cheshire offers a truly special tea
experience and this award is very well deserved. The
attention to detail, quality of   food, lovingly prepared by their
team who seek to ensure, where possible, that all food is
sourced locally, and whose excellent knowledge and service
of teas served, is second to none. The very friendly welcome
and relaxing and pleasant ambiance helps make afternoon
tea a real pleasure. It is no wonder that families and groups
of friends of all  ages truly enjoy the tea experience.

“Afternoon tea is enjoying a well-deserved resurgence.
It is an increasingly fashionable way


take a break from shopping, or conduct a business meeting. Modern
life can be hectic and demanding, taking afternoon tea is the perfect
way to slow down and relax.”

Davenports Tea Room owner Belinda Davenport said: “We love
catering for afternoon tea at Davenports and all the staff are
passionate about making each guests’ visit special. It is fantastic
to be honoured by
The Tea Guild in  recognition of our hard work and commitment
to preserving the tradition of afternoon tea. Author Lewis Carroll
was born less than two miles away, which accounts for the décor,
favoured by the judges, and we celebrateannually with our
"Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.”

The Tea Guild 2013 awards include:

The Goring Hotel - London’s Top Afternoon Tea,

The Montagu Arms in Hampshire - Top City and Country Hotel Tea Award.

 

Notes
The Tea Guild is part of The UK Tea Council Ltd which is a non-profit making,

independent organisation dedicated to raising the profile of tea in the

UK: www.tea.co.uk