The Peninsula London’s Classic Car Afternoon Tea combines the quintessentially British tradition of taking tea with the golden age of motor racing and design. For just two weeks, from 4 September until 15 September, automotive enthusiasts and petrol heads can book a limited-edition Afternoon Tea inspired by past and present winners of The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award.
With sweet and savoury delicacies inspired by the past winners and finalists of this most elite of classic car Concours, the Classic Car Afternoon Tea will be served in the presence of this year’s winning vehicle, which will be on display in The Lobby of The Peninsula London for all to see.
Start your engines with stylish savouries followed by classic sandwiches
Delectable savouries are inspired by the design of the 1935 Duesenberg SJ Gurney Nutting, winner of The Peninsula Classics 2023 Best of the Best Award, including tomato gazpacho with burrata mousse, crab thermidor with Oscietra caviar, lobster salad with tarragon mayonnaise, and duck ‘sausage roll’ studded with dried fruits. Elegant tricolour sandwiches are filled with smoked salmon and courgette, beef carpaccio with rocket, parmesan egg mayonnaise and dill-flecked cucumber and mint.
On your marques: dynamically-designed sweets
Alongside plain and raisin classic scones accompanied by clotted cream and a choice of strawberry and mint jam or lemon curd are an array of delightfully styled sweets.
From zesty orange and chocolate ‘Battenberg’, which reflects the burnt orange and black glossiness of the winning Duesenberg, to the perfectly polished perfection of an Earl-Grey-infused blueberry and blackberry cake enrobed in sleek, white chocolate to commemorate the 1954 Ferrari 750 Monza.
A 1938 Delage Type D8-120 S Cabriolet is transformed into a caramel and banana eclair, and the sophisticated sweetness of peach and almond is crafted with vintage flair in homage to the 1956 Jaguar D-Type Sports Racer. Make a final pit stop with a cooling ice cream bonbon topped with its own micro-car.
You can make a booking in The Lobby from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily from 4 to 15 September, and it is priced at £85 per person. The experience can be enhanced with British sparkling wines and champagne for £10.
Just off The Peninsula London Lobby, spy a rotating exhibit of original, vintage automobiles from the birthplace of British racing: Brooklands Motoring Museum.
Take a ‘hot air balloon ride’ in a wicker-lined lift to The Peninsula London’s eighth-floor restaurant and bar, Brooklands by Claude Bosi, home to a fascinating collection of memorabilia and artefacts from the classic eras of British aviation and motorsport.
About The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best
The Best of the Best Award was co-founded in 2015 by The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (owner and operator of The Peninsula Hotels), along with William E. (Chip) Connor, Bruce Meyer and Christian Philippsen. The Award celebrates the fine engineering and design of classic cars built by internationally renowned manufacturers, selected from an exceptional shortlist of winners from the most exclusive concours.
The Peninsula Classics 2023 Best of the Best Award judges include numerous automotive design luminaries, such as the late Ian Cameron, former design director for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Ferrari Chief Design Director Flavio Manzoni; Mercedes-Benz Design Director Gorden Wagener; previous Chief of Design at BMW Chris Bangle; and venerable designers Fabio Filippini and Peter Brock.
The judging panel also includes royal and celebrity motorsport enthusiasts such as HRH Prince Michael of Kent, His Highness Rana Manvendra Singh of Barwani, fashion icon Ralph Lauren, renowned architect Peter Marino, and acclaimed television host Jay Leno.
To make a booking, visit www.peninsula.com/london.