The Langham Hotels and Wedgwood have collaborated to launch the bespoke version of the afternoon tradition – ‘The Langham Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood’ – serving Wedgwood specialty teas in tailor-made ‘Langham Rose’ Wedgwood tea ware with special menus created by the hotels’ pastry chefs worldwide.
“Both The Langham Hotels and Wedgwood have an exemplary history in presenting the best luxury afternoon tea experience,” said Bob van den Oord, vice president, brands at Langham Hospitality Group. “With a heritage of more than 250 years, Wedgwood is renowned for its fine craftsmanship; its tea academy and tea selections are among the world’s best.
Mr. Van Den Oord continued: “This partnership links two iconic luxury heritage brands and we are proud to present to our guests the sensory results of this alliance.”
The Langham, Hong Kong was the first in the group to introduce the bespoke ‘The Langham Afternoon Tea by Wedgwood’ experience on 25 September 2014. The Hong Kong property has been followed by the rest of The Langham and Langham Place hotels in major cities such as London, New York, Shanghai, Sydney, Chicago, Boston, Melbourne, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
Leigh Taylor, Wedgwood’s group vice president of marketing and design commented: “Wedgwood is a luxury lifestyle brand perfectly suited to the luxury experience synonymous with The Langham hotels. The Langham Rose tea ware is exquisitely designed to complement the sumptuous afternoon tea experience at The Langham.”
Only the finest teas have been sourced from around the world. Carefully chosen Wedgwood Tea blends and exclusive Langham blends which include, Palm Court Exotic Blend, Silk Road Blend, English Flower Blend and The Langham Blend will be presented and served at ‘The Langham Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood’.”
Some of the teas are so rare they are kept in The Langham Tea Vaults under lock and key. The Langham Tea Sommeliers are trained and certified by the Wedgwood tea academy. Langham’s tea sommeliers can be recognised by the Wedgwood ceramic badge and/or cufflinks.
Dating back to 1865, English afternoon tea is credited to the 7th Duchess of Bedford who was lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria. She had experienced a ‘sinking feeling’ in the middle of the afternoon and asked for tea making equipment with some butter and bread in her private room.
The Duchess found the meal so satisfying she started inviting her friends for afternoon tea. Since then, the simple bread and butter that first accompanied afternoon tea had developed into much more elaborate selections of sandwiches, scones, muffins, cakes, biscuits, gateaux and other desserts.
The Langham has been synonymous with the tradition of afternoon tea since it was first served at The Langham, London in 1865, almost 150 years ago. This indulgence continues to live on in all of The Langham hotels today.
Wedgwood is renowned for its luxury craftsmanship and in creating the finest ceramics since 1759. Wedgwood has graced the tables of every British monarch, the Vatican and illustrious Heads of State at the Kremlin and the White House.
