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Eat, Pink and be merry! The festive Afternoon Tea from Adam Handling at The Belmond Cadogan

by Christina Raptis


Walk past the glistening Christmas lights and stone mansions along exclusive Sloane Avenue and nestled on the corner, you’ll find the beautiful Belmond Cadogan hotel, a stylish retreat in the heart of Chelsea.

The address has long been a playground for socialites and bohemians like Oscar Wilde and Lillie Langtry. As we strolled past the welcoming doormen, and stepped beyond the gorgeous facade, a glistening lobby and a towering Christmas tree welcomed us.


The five-star hotel is home to the culinary delights by celebrated chef Adam Handling and his eponymous restaurant, Adam Handling Chelsea which serves exquisite Modern-British cuisine that takes inspiration from international culinary flavours.


As well as overseeing the entire food and beverage offering within the hotel, including in-room dining, banqueting, and events, Adam also opened the afternoon tea lounge, Cadogan’s by Adam Handling. Awarded Best Contemporary Afternoon Tea at the Afternoon Tea Awards 2019 and also Restaurateur of the Year at the GQ Food & Drink Awards 2020.


Thus, you can imagine we were super-excited to be invited to taste his newest tea offering, a Festive Pink Afternoon Tea served alongside Villa Sandi Prosecco. Despite this being in the times of Covid and with social-distancing measures in place the tea room which presently takes place in the bar area had a vibrant atmosphere with several tables enjoying the pampered offering.


The pastry team at Adam Handling Chelsea headed by Chris Underwood have created a beautiful festive pink-themed afternoon tea. Presented on a gold tree branch the tea features all the classics you would imagine but with a creative twist. Savouries included dill-cured smoked salmon with cream cheese sandwich; red onion and stilton tartlet; and vegetarian stuffing sandwich with red cabbage and cranberry on tomato bread.

Sweetly pink specialities alongside fruit and plain scones include ‘chocolate, mandarin, chestnut’, ‘cider, apple, blackcurrant’ and an Adam Handling Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. There’re also some festive cakes including panettone, stollen and a stem ginger cake.


“Prosecco is the best-selling sparkling wine in the UK, and there’s been so much excitement around the introduction of the Rosé version. We’re really happy to be able to be the first to offer a special Afternoon Tea full of festive flavours, and to serve it with a delicious wine which is so much fun, and livens up the whole table,” says Adam Handling.


Prosecco DOC winemakers received the go-ahead in May this year from the National Wine Committee in Italy to produce Rosé wines. Villa Sandi is a leading winery in the Prosecco DOC and DOCG regions. The owner, Giancarlo Moretti Polegato was the first to propose a Prosecco Rosé when the DOC was created in 2009.


There is nothing more indulgent and truly spoiling than a decadent Afternoon Tea in the beautiful surroundings of a five-star hotel and there are few that do it better than The Belmond Cadogan and Adam Handling.

The festive Afternoon Tea is served with a glass of Villa Sandi Prosecco DOC Rosé for £65.00 or if you prefer tea without sparkling wine, you can choose from a range of teas from Newby, including a specially-selected Rose hip and Hibiscus blend, for £55 per person.


Adam Handling Chelsea

75 Sloane Street, London SW1


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