Afternoon Tea, a time honoured tradition at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel, has returned to The Library Bar and we’re here to celebrate it with an episode steeped in tradition.

Today’s guests include server Joseph Nutter and Al Cardenas, Senior Tea Consultant at the Fairmont Royal York who joins host Melanie Coates for a world tour of tea production and an introduction to the five new teas created specifically for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts by The Metropolitan Tea Company.

The musical backdrop to all this tea-licious talk is “Tahiti Trot, Op. 16″, Dmitri Shostakovich’s 1927 orchestration of “Tea for Two” from the musical No, No, Nanette.

Show Notes:

* Melanie intros the episode to the sounds of “Tahiti Trot” by Dmitri Shostakovich.

* Melanie sits down in The Library Bar with server, Joseph Nutter, to talk about Afternoon Tea, a tradition at The Fairmont Royal York since 1929.

* Joseph provides some tips for enjoying Afternoon Tea at the Royal York, including making conversation a big part of the experience.

* Joseph explains the formality of the service and what’s included on the menu.

* Melanie asks, “What’s with the tiers on the tea turret?” — a tongue-twisting question we’ve all been dying to ask.

* Joseph advises listeners to work their way from the bottom of the tea turret to the top, and to not forget the white gloves.

* Melanie is joined by Al Cardenas, Senior Tea Consultant at The Metropolitan Tea Company.

* Melanie asks Al where the tea plant originated — and what makes a tea plant tea.

* Al provides a detailed explanation of where tea originated and the many characteristics of classic and contemporary tea.

* Al describes how to pair tea and food and suggests the following combination for Afternoon Tea: black tea with the savory course and white tea with the dessert course.

* Al gives Melanie some preparation tips, which include using a slightly cooled water when making green tea.

* Al talks about the new Health and Wellness Teas created specifically for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, including: Fairmont Energy, High-Antioxidant, Equilibrium, Digestive and Tranquility Tea.

* A short musical interlude ensues then Melanie wraps this episode with an invitation to tea at The Library Bar.

Traditional Afternoon Tea is served Saturdays from 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM. and Sundays from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM in The Library Bar of The Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

The cost is $35 per person and includes: a fine selection of premium Fairmont loose leafs teas, seasonal Berry Cocktail, traditional finger sandwiches (lobster, smoked salmon, cucumber, Manchego, brie), a selection of pastries (pastry swans, clafoutis, chocolate cakes, madelines) and house-baked Royal York cranberry scones with Devon cream and preserves.

To reserve Afternoon Tea in advance, call the Library Bar at (416) 860-5050 or festive@fairmont.com.

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