The Goring Hotel has been awarded The 2013 Top London Afternoon Tea Award by The Tea Guild.
Now in its 28th year, The UK Tea Council’s Tea Guild Awards are considered the Oscars of the tea world, with world-famous London hotels and tea rooms competing for this highly coveted honour.
Each year the judge’s task of choosing a winner gets more challenging as standards continue to reach new levels and this year’s London competition was no exception. As a result, The Tea Guild has also awarded 22 special Awards of Excellence in recognition of outstanding quality and consistency (see foot).
The Tea Guild judges – who all dine anonymously and pay like regular clientele – follow strict guidelines and criteria that cover every aspect of the afternoon tea experience, including the décor, the appropriateness of the crockery, staff attitude and tea knowledge, as well as efficiency of service, overall ambience and very importantly how the tea itself is served.
Top Award to The Goring Hotel
The Goring Hotel in Belgravia, Central London, received the top award for London tea destinations after gaining a near perfect score by the Tea Guild’s very impressed judges. Guests can enjoy an elegant afternoon tea by a roaring fire in the hotel’s lounge. In more clement weather, The Goring boasts a delightful garden, offering one of the few al fresco afternoon teas in the capital. Its afternoon tea menu consists of dainty finger sandwiches, homemade buttery scones, and numerous hand-crafted patisseries, all served with an excellent selection of carefully selected and perfectly brewed teas.
Head of The Tea Guild, Irene Gorman said: “Afternoon tea at The Goring Hotel is a truly special experience. The elegant surroundings and faultless presentation make it a memorable occasion aided by friendly, efficient and knowledgeable staff. It is easy to understand why this leading establishment attracts so many, of all ages, to take afternoon tea.”
Food and Beverage manager at The Goring, Stuart Geddes said: “As a proud member of The Tea Guild we are delighted and honoured to receive this prestigious award. All of the staff at The Goring Hotel are passionate about creating a memorable guest experience and, when it comes to serving the perfect afternoon tea, we strive to get every detail just right.”
The Tea Guild is part of The UK Tea Council Ltd (www.tea.co.uk), which is a non-profit making, independent organisation dedicated to raising the profile of tea in the UK.
22 special Awards of Excellence in recognition of outstanding quality and consistency were awarded to:
Brown’s Hotel
Claridge’s
Corinthia Hotel London
Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane
Fortnum & Mason
Grosvenor House
Sofitel London St James
The Athenaeum
The Capital Hotel
The Chesterfield
The Connaught
The Dorchester
The InterContinental London Park Lane
The Lanesborough
The Langham
The Park Lane Hotel
The Montague on The Gardens
The Royal Garden Hotel
The Royal Horseguards Hotel
The Savoy
The Ritz
The Wolseley