Royal Teas

Book excerpt: There is no more quintessentially British tradition than afternoon tea, and nowhere is that tradition taken more seriously than at Buckingham Palace, where 30,000 afternoon teas are served every year at the summer Garden Parties. Inspired by this British institution, and following on from the success of A Royal Cookbook, Mark Flanagan, the Royal Chef, shares here his favourite tea-time treats. Recipes and clear instruction will guide you through making pastries and savouries, biscuits and show-stopping cakes, from a springtime picnic to a festive Christmas tea, all with the royal touch. This elegant recipe book also tells the story of the local and seasonal ingredients used by Mark Flanagan, such as the deliciously syrupy jam made from the mulberry trees of Buckingham Palace gardens, and the bee hives that keep the Royal Household in honey all year round.