Brisbane’s Royal High Tea w/ Champagne Moet & Chandon

“I am very glad to be back here in Queensland for my 16th visit to Australia,” said the Queen when she visited Brisbane and enjoyed High Tea and an overnight stay at 5 star riverside hotel The Stamford Plaza, which had been given this honour after being flooded and closed for months following the catastrophic 2011 Queensland floods. Celebrities from Muhammed Ali, Bono, Cher and Madonna through to Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga have also slept in the Sir Stamford Suite on the 32nd floor of this grand hotel.

Queen Elizabeth’s Stamford High Tea Menu

Served in the hotel lobby and accompanied by elegant strings music every Wednesday – Saturday between 3 – 5pm, The Stamford Brisbane Royal High Tea also features the “Essence of Queensland” – a famous sponge dessert with a twist, created by The Stamford’s pastry chef in honour of Elizabeth II’s most recent visit, which includes limes from the Sunshine Coat, north Queensland bananas and even a drop of Australia’s iconic tipple, Bundaberg Rum.

Alongside decadent cakes and pastries, dainty white crustless sandwiches oozing with cucumber and cream cheese, poached chicken and roquette, dijon mustard and honey roasted ham, accompanied by a fabulous selection of loose leaf teas, await you in this grand colonial style open atrium. The signature Rose with French Vanilla tea is a particular favourite with visitors to wash down those delicious scones.

As always I recommend starting with a glass of champagne – Moet & Chandon($25) is a timeless classic champagne style and the most popular champagne in the world. No doubt Sir Stamford Raffles, the British Empire builder who founded Singapore (for whom this Singapore owned Australia and New Zealand hotel chain is named) would have approved of the tea selection and the lovely china it is served in.

The Stamford High Tea is available to members of the public as well as hotel guests (nb book at least 24hrs in advance). Adults from $45, for reservations phone 07 31005749 or visit www.stamford.com.au/spb

Learn more about champagne visit www.champagnejayne.com or follow Jayne’s sparkling adventures on twitter @champagnejayne