Celebrity chef Eric Lanlard who has baked cakes for Madonna, Liz Hurley, Claudia Schiffer, Elton John and even the Queen, headed our way recently to talk about the delights of afternoon tea and demo some amazing patisserie from his newly published book on the subject.
The master patissier, nicknamed Cake Boy, has been in love with this British favourite since the age of seven when his Anglophile mother brought him on an overnight ferry across the Channel to experience a proper tea room. But it was years later that he developed a real taste for the culinary custom.
“ When I came to the UK in 1989 the first thing I did was spend the little spare money I had on having afternoon tea in different Michelin star restaurants – The Savoy, Claridges. I loved it, I associate it with a relaxation and but glamour but as soon as somebody says the ‘Afternoon Tea’ words, I feel I should stand up, brush myself down and make an effort.”
The passion gradually developed into a specialism and Lanlard currently designs signature afternoon teas for hotels and P&O cruises.
“It has never been so popular, there is so much competition in coming up with the most extravagant menu or the best story.”
When Eric decided to do a book, it had to have the ultimate flavoursome recipes and offbeat combinations.
“I didn’t want the book to be shi shi and pretentious. Tea can just be setting a garden table with a mish mash of cups, some cakes and scones. The most important thing is the company, It’s not about the best cucumber sandwiches either, I wanted accessible recipes but with a twist. I have French inspired teas and Middle Eastern ones. I take classics and jazz them up,.there are camembert apple tarts, savoury éclairs like porcini and pancetta. Scones are made with bee pollen, pistachio and rose and chocolate and raspberry (one of my favourites). Matcha lemon cake is made with green tea with white chocolate and lemon cream, it’s a great zesty unexpected combination. But my absolute favourite is the red velvet cheesecake, it’s very light and bit dangerous, you always go for a second slice. We did three weeks photography in my house and everything was made, (and a lot eaten) by me! Very naughty but what the heck!”
Eric Lanlard’s Afternoon Tea book available from Chorleywood Bookshop , £20, some signed copies available