Country Cuisine delivers delicious afternoon teas to your door [AD]
This is a paid partnership with Country Cuisine.
Nestled between lunch and dinnertime, an afternoon tea feels like a special treat to enjoy during holidays or days out. If you’ve missed going out for afternoon tea during the pandemic, then you can now experience this luxury at home with the help of Country Cuisine’s Suffolk afternoon tea.
Country Cuisine is a family run business based near Saxmundham, close to the Suffolk Coast. Val Smith started the company 30 years ago after working in high end hotels and restaurants. In 2016 her son, Dan, joined the business to rebrand and grow Country Cuisine. Dan has worked in top restaurants in France and Suffolk and likes to bring the high-end restaurant experience to people’s home or chosen venue.
Before the pandemic, Country Cuisine had a busy schedule of weddings, parties and events. However, due to lockdown, the company needed to branch out. Dan and Val came up with the idea of dropping off afternoon teas to people’s doorsteps and launched them to great popularity.
“We came up with the idea of drop off afternoon teas at the end of May and they have been a massive success,” explained Dan.
“They have worked really well as a gift for people for birthdays, anniversaries or just if you haven’t been able to see someone for a long time. We are still offering our usual dinner ‘drop off’ menu for holiday lets and entertaining at home.”
I was lucky enough to try one of the afternoon teas last month. There was a selection of assorted finger sandwiches, including egg and chive, cream cheese and cucumber, and bacon, lettuce and tomato.
I really appreciated that there was a mix of savoury and sweet treats included in the box. There was a freshly-baked parmesan cheese scone that melted in the mouth and a handmade free-range Blythburgh pork sausage roll.
The goat’s cheese and herb tartlet was delicious, as was the fruit scone with jam and whipped cream. I always think that you can tell the true quality of a cream tea by the texture of the scone – fluffy in the middle with a crisp crust. Yum!
The afternoon tea also included a tasty Belgian chocolate pot with white chocolate cream and fresh strawberries, an iced Belgium chocolate cup cake (Guy’s favourite) and an almond Bakewell tartlet.
Country Cuisine caters for a range of events, from private dinner parties for 10-30 guests to weddings and big corporate events. For those planning small events this autumn, Country Cuisine can offer a discrete, professional and relaxed service. Dishes are made with classical techniques and a touch of flair. Every menu is personal and bespoke to the client.
“We really enjoy what we do because every job is different. We like talking to the client to find out what they would really like and create something bespoke for them,” said Dan.
“I would have to say dinner parties are our favourite events to do as it allows us to show off our skills the most.”
Country Cuisine is currently creating an autumn series of menus. Enjoy a 3 course dinner at home with canapés and after-dinner biscuits for £30 per head. There is free delivery to the Aldeburgh, Southwold and Woodbridge area, so you can stay in the comfort of your own home.
Dan embraces using local produce such as Friday Street Butchery for meat, Pinney’s for smoked fish and Pump Street Bakery for bread. The team also grows vegetables that they use in their dishes.
For more information about ordering an afternoon tea, or to enquire about catering for a private event, please visit the Country Cuisine website, Facebook or Instagram page.
