Nutcracker characters, Clara and the Prince, delighted guests at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in Mayfair, London for the launch of the hotel’s Nutcracker Afternoon Tea.

Grosvenor House has partnered with Birmingham Royal Ballet for the limited edition Afternoon Tea ahead of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s performances of The Nutcracker at the Royal Albert Hall this December.

Available in the Park Room from Friday 22nd November until 1st January, the exquisite Nutcracker Afternoon Tea from Executive Chef Paul Bates, comprises three Acts and is inspired by characters from the ballet, festive flavours and seasonal ingredients.

Act 1, set in the home, is represented by traditional finger sandwiches including cucumber with garden mint butter and smoked Oakham chicken with tarragon and crème fraîche. Sandwiches are complemented by delicate open brioche buns topped with fresh prawn and salmon or quails egg.

Act 2 is set in the pine forest and is brought to life with soft buttermilk scones and paired with a decadent selection of six jams, including rhubarb & ginger, gooseberry and rose petal.

Act 3, the finale, is set in a land of sweet decadence and represented by a top tier of delicate pastries, each expressing a character from the Nutcracker;

The Nutcracker

– Hazelnut chocolate chip tart with a Devon cream ganache and chocolate nutcracker.

The Sugar Plum Fairy

– Light preserved plum cheesecake on a shortbread biscuit base with raspberry gel.

The Angels

– William pear cream, delicately coated in white chocolate that glistens in the light.

The Spanish Dancers and the Arabian

– Flourless chocolate cake topped with Spanish honey chocolate mousse and coffee infused chocolate twigs from the forest.

The Danish Shepherdess

– Mandarin and almond sponge, topped with almond cream and Danish redcurrant gel.