The Vintage Tea Party Book

by Angel Adoree

With this year being the 60th Anniversary of the Festival of Britain, and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations to look forward to next year - everyone is feeling nostalgic, patriotic and excited, and thoughts turn to celebrations with friends and family - parties, bunting and delicious home made food. And to help with organising the perfect party comes a very timely, and quintessentially British book "The Vintage Tea Party Book" by Angel Adoree. Angel set up the Vintage Patisserie in 2007, turning tea party dreams into reality and offering customers the complete experience, including dance, music and make up and of course a delectable menu. Her new book "The Vintage Tea Party Book" embraces the style and class of the Vintage Patisserie and illustrates how to beautifully recreate the tasty treats and classic styles of a magical golden era in your very own home with elegance and glamour and make your party go with a swing! It tells you the importance of 'occasion' and how you should make your guests feel really special. Nothing is left out, starting at the very beginning with the personalized invitation and beautiful ready made invitations to send to your friends. You can decorate your home to make it look the perfect venue for your tea party. You can collect vintage china and silver cutlery to decorate your table, and there is a tea party checklist to make sure you have all the essentials! And for that really personal touch, Angel shows how to make your own decorations, including Queen Elizabeth Union Jack flags and beautiful bird mobiles. This is not a 'cupcake' book, the menu consists of stylish, simple classics with a visual twist. Angel puts together a delicious and bespoke selection of dishes to spoil and delight your guests - whatever time of the day. With brunch dishes such as Coddled Eggs and Asparagus Egg Custards with Parmesan Wafers, to afternoon teas of Onion and Potato Flowers, Bunting Butties, Cream Cheese and Cucumber Hearts, and Lollipop and Jam Sandwiches followed by scrumptious deserts including personalised Engraved Earl Grey Truffle Hearts, Rose Pannacotta and Lemon Scones with Lavender Cream - all washed down with Green Jasmine Tea Bubbles, Saffron G&Tea Shots or a Tea Tini Flower Martini and many other delightful drinks - your guests will be spoilt for choice! Now you have the menu sorted out, it's time to decorate yourself and revel in the decadence of vintage glamour. Make your own hat and hair decorations with fabric and a multitude of decorations which can all be found at your local haberdashery, there are accessible tips on fabulous hairstyles, like how to put your hair in a victory roll, poodle or a basic set. There are makeup methods to make yourself look like a vintage beauty - like how to achieve the perfect rouged lips and put on false eye lashes. Why not play a parlour game to bring your guests together? - there are a host of games such as 'Guess the Musical Era', unconventional poker, charades and 'Are You There Moriarty?' - all of which will have your guests laughing and the conversation really flowing! Quite simply, "The Vintage Tea Party Book" has everything you need to host the perfect tea party, you will be the talk of the town and everyone will want to be invited to your special bespoke party - as well as want to host their very own!(less)

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking, Tea, Food, Crafts, Reference

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

[Martini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definetely one of the most beautiful cookbooks (and more!) that I have ever seen. Highly recommended for everybody who is interested in the traditional English Tea Party, English lifestyle and everything vintage.

[Camilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book that was given to me as a gift by a friend. Lots of recipes to drool over, although as a vegetarian there's little likelihood i'll be making most of them. Nice to see a book about tea parties that isn't full of cupcakes.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I just got this book as a gift and I'm kind of ridiculously excited about it.

At first glance: "Oooooh, pretty!" On further inspection: blow your mind amazing.

Recipes, crafts, party planning tips and all fabulously vintage themed?

YES PLEASE!

[Orsolya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am obsessed with all things vintage: clothing, furniture, recipes, decorations… The list goes on. What else do I love? Tea. I consider myself quite a tea connoisseur. I may have met my new best friend: Angel Adoree, a lovely woman who owns and operates a party- planning company in England specializing in vintage-themed tea parties. Adoree presents this lifestyle and her celebratory sass in, “The Vintage Tea Party Book”.

“The Vintage Tea Party Book” is not a book which can be easily categorized, as it combines elements of various genres into one: cookbook, party planning guide, coffee table book, and craft book. Adoree divides “The Vintage Tea Party Book” into three main sections focusing on the factors involved in throwing tea parties for breakfast, brunch, and dinner. Each section features recipes, ideas for crafts/decorations, tea party activities, etc; while being supplemented with photos galore.

To extend on this, “The Vintage Tea Party Book” is a visual feast hence giving it coffee table book status. Every focal point was cleverly designed graphically with stunning photos, whimsy fonts, and perfect colors. Think: “Alice in Wonderland” meets steam punk. Not only is the actual content of “The Vintage Tea Party Book” interesting but the presentation is artful.

The main focus of “The Vintage Tea Party Book” is the recipes for the tea gatherings covering both sweet and savory concoctions plus beverages, of course. Adoree’s recipes are elegant and creative; yet, easy-to-make. Her instructions are simple and straight-forward encouraging the readers to attempt the masterpieces for themselves. Many of these are accompanied by photo gems allowing the reader to grasp food styling ideas. On the negative end though, most of the recipes are not vegetarian-friendly, not very healthy (and no nutritional information is available), and some of the ingredients are uncommon. Furthermore, American readers will have difficulties with European measurements, temperatures, and unfamiliar ingredient names.

Adoree infuses the text with humor and quirky prose which opens up her personality and gives “The Vintage Tea Party Book” a friendly and familiar tone. This works so that any fears of attempting the ideas on the pages are minimized.

A complaint with “The Vintage Tea Party Book” is that some of the party ideas are much too basic and obvious being ones that most individuals can think of without the aid of a book. There is just a little bit of creativity and ‘oomph’ missing from “The Vintage Tea Party Book”.

The last quarter of “The Vintage Tea Party Book” impresses with its recipes of tea-based cocktails. The tea/alcohol focus is simple but unlike any other. This flows into a quick conclusion highlighting vintage fashion, hair, and makeup (even with some tips for men); wrapping up the content nicely for those readers searching for overall party ideas.

In conclusion, “The Vintage Tea Party Book” is a vintage/Victorian/steam punk eye feast which although serving primarily as a cook book; also satisfies a coffee table. The content isn’t the best collection of party ideas but meets a well-defined niche in a simplistic manner. “The Vintage Tea Party Book” is recommended for those seeking ideas for creative-themed gatherings or lovers of all things vintage.

[Jazzy Lemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming book, lovingly scripted with beautiful drawings, photos, recipes and style tips (you can even make your own vintage aprons). This is a book that you will enjoy thumbing through time and time again.

[William Bitterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely gorgeous book. Every page is a work of art and makes you want to throw an immediate (and very lavish) tea party. It has inspired me to look for glassware and teacups any time I get near an antique store. Great as a coffee table book or as a resource for recipes and tea party instructions.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I *really* have to get a 'robin redbreast in a bowler hat' tattoo now

[Annamaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the most beautiful thing I've ever owned! Gorgeous pictures and interesting recipes! It makes me feel inspired everytime I open it!

[Nici Writes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those cookbooks that I love to own because it's more than just a collection of recipes. Along with the wonderfully nostalgic recipes are tips for putting together the perfect vintage tea party, such as ideas for serving the dishes and decorating the table; crafts; clothes, hair and makeup; and generally getting into the vintage spirit.

This book is filled with beautiful illustrations as well as gorgeously styled food photos. I really just makes me want to host an afternoon tea every weekend. 

Although I wasn't interested in making every single dish in here, that's not a measure of success for a book like this. I think even if you didn't make a single thing, just flipping through it and feeling inspired means it's done its job.

I love all the personal stories that Angel shares about each recipe too, which makes this almost like a memoir as well as a cookbook. As if someone was teaching you the recipe in person and sharing their background about how they came to know and love it. 

I borrowed this book from the library but I am definitely adding it to my wishlist as it would be a great addition to my own cookbook collection.

[Ainee Beland · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book begins with the subtitle: Past, Present & Future…welcome to The Vintage Tea Party Book. You are about to embark on an imaginative journey to create the perfect tea party. The pages ahead of you capture Ms. Adoree’s passion and fantasy for all things vintage and she feels incredibly blessed that she has been given the opportunity to share this with the world.

The book is divided into several chapters; with an introduction, Brunch, Afternoon, Evening and Style. In order to use this book; decided when the tea party that you wish to give will take place and select of your favorite recipes the chapters of this book to incorporate into your party. Then use the Introduction and Style chapters to elevate your party into a full vintage experience. Lastly, is to eat, drink, love, and laugh and to keep the memory forever.

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I can say that I have enjoyed perusing both of her books and I am happy to be able to spotlight of them within reviewing of them.

[Lynn Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

f you have been watching the PBS show Escape to the Chateau, you will enjoy this book by Angel full of designs, patterns for aprons, make-up tips, how to do your hair in a forties' updo, how to tie a scarf around your head in a Rosie the Riveter style, recipes, etc. Just a plethora of things to stroll through.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun and colourful adventure!
I hosted a high tea in the bush a few years ago and it was fantastic.
There are lots of fancy recipes here, in fact there is just fancy-ness throughout...photos, design, you name it, it’s wonderful!
Some of it looks reasonably challenging, nevertheless, lush and inspiring indeed!

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exquisitely beautiful. The illustrations are so lovely as is the photography. It must have cost an absolute fortune to produce.

If you're a drinker, lots of gorgeous cocktails in here.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed this more than I thought I would! every page is very beautiful, and I was pleasantly surprised at the volume and variety of recipes included. there are actually quite a few that I want to try, which never happens to me!

[Becs · Rating 5 out of 5]

How lucky to have stumbled upon this jewel of a book! So charming and nostalgic, every detail is curated to the beat - and the best thing is the recipes are SO straightforward. I can’t wait to host my next party 💗💗

[Shona Doll · Rating 5 out of 5]

The loveliest cookbook I’ve ever read. Perfectly combines my love of tea parties with my love of all things vintage.

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many bookmarked recipes to try! Totally worth doing metric conversions for.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun pictures, great recipes, interesting history.great book.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not practical necessarily. But a feast for the eyes!

[Liz C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some really nice recipes and ideas for tea parties and the like. I love the hair tips to get the perfect chignon and all that. Nicely put together.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just love her style. So different from mine. I love looking at all the pictures.

[Meg Onthemove Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many things a little too complex for me, and could do with more pictures.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good tea cocktails, but even those are not super plausible for the everyday person's budget.

[Ricki Treleaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the past couple of weeks I've been reading The Vintage Tea Party Book by Angel Adoree. I. Love. This. BOOK! :D It's the cutest tea party book I've ever read. You really need to go to your local library and check it out. I bet you'll want to buy a copy once you do. I did!

Normally I don't include the book synopsis from the back of the book in my book reviews, but I love the synopsis on the back of The Vintage Tea Party:

Angel Adoree cordially invites you to accompany her on a journey to create your perfect vintage tea party. Expect glamour, roses, rabbits, headscarves, foxes, teapots, crows, parlour games, cake stands, hair and make-up tips and, not forgetting, humongous amounts of magical tea party food that is fit for the Queen of England, and easy enough for you to make.

Angel Adoree was a favorite on BBC's The Dragons' Den (the Brits' version of Shark Tank). She wowed the judges with her Vintage Patisserie business plan: Vintage Tea Party events in unusual venues. I enjoyed reading the autobiographical information about Angel. Her story is amazing!

The Vintage Tea Party is divided into three main sections: Brunch, Afternoon, and Evening. I loved the brunch section....the idea of a tea party for breakfast is something I love because breakfast is usually my favorite meal of the day. There is also a section on style that's fun, too. The pretty vintage vignettes with interesting cups, plates, teapots, and other oddities would make any tea party *fun* (not to mention the fantastic collection of recipes). I read every single recipe, and they all sound delicious! I've only tried two and I was very happy with the results of both. The original artwork by Angel and the photography is eye candy. I have spent hours looking at this wonderful book, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vintage Tea Party Book has so much whimsy in it you can't help but feel like a child while reading it. It's filled with fanciful sketches on every page, photos of recipes done with unique containers and table decor, and sweet introductions for every recipe and craft.


What you'll find in this book: tea time recipes, both traditional and innovative (in metric but with US measurement conversions listed); encouragement on how to create a tea party (brunch, afternoon tea, or evening meal); libation recipes involving tea; parlor games; decor and craft instructions; tips on creating a vintage look in makeup, hairdo, and outfit; background on British tidbits like the Union Jack and what it represents.


What you won't find in this book: history lessons; education about different types of tea; instructions for brewing the perfect cup.


That said, it delivers on exactly what it claims to be- an instructional and entertaining book about how to host a small gathering (tea being the central, not sole, theme) with a vintage flair.


Lacking the necessary style and panache, I doubt I will ever host a vintage-style tea party (or any party), but I earmarked several recipes to try. They all sound delicious and are fairly uncomplicated. And the crafts are sweet, as well.


I recommend this for fans not just of tea, but of tea parties or the concept of parlor gatherings; fans of British traditions; vintage fans (especially the 1940's); bakers looking for something sweet and new to try out; fans of whimsy. Honestly, this book is visually just plain fun to read through. It makes a great coffee table book, and gift.

[Kirsty · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very pretty and aesthetically pleasing book, but it was not quite what I was hoping for.

The book itself is of very high quality, with plenty of photos of cute vintage items to keep you flicking through. The party planning and hosting tips were very informative and useful, as were the tips on what to look out for when purchasing vintage clothes and other items. I also liked the ideas for decorations at the party, and I found these to be the highlight of the book for me

However, I have only given two stars because the recipes section of the book was a disappointment to me. Personally I did not find many of the recipies appetising, and out of the whole book I only noted down a total of four recipes to try out. I think many of the recipes would be an acquired taste, and like every cook book not everything will satisfy everyone.

I also found that many of the recipes would actually be quite expensive to make, and may not fit into everyone's budget in today's financial situation. Some of the main ingredients include: oysters, veal, venison, scallops and crab. If you were to make several dishes, it may cost more than you would expect.

So overall I found myself quite disheartened as I finished the book, as the food just did not appeal to me. After all why do you host/attend a party? For the lovely food of course! But that just wasn't present for me in this book unfortunately.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vintage-Tea-P...

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished a quick look-through of this gorgeous volume, enough to know which pages I want to revisit, and to confirm that the whole thing is delightful. Filled with out of the ordinary recipes that appear delectable and don't have too many ingredients; I will definitely be making some Earl Grey truffles sooner rather than later. I may possibly bake a grapefruit. Brie and walnut scones, you are on my list. Tea-quila Sunrise speaks for itself.

The book is not just recipes; it also has suggestions for style, décor, hair and makeup, etc. And it's filled to the brim with adorable little drawings of animals and stuff. If it sounds like a book you'd like, you will.

[Sarah Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! It is full of brilliant recipe ideas, vintage crafts (including flag making) and instructions on how to get the vintage look! There are recipes for brunches, morning and afternoon teas and evening functions. Some look easy and some look quite difficult. The book is easy to read, with many beautiful pictures and easy to follow instructions. I can't wait to have a tea party of my own, although I am not sure that I have the time required to set my hair as instructed. Well worth a look!.

[NoBeatenPath · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book written with a light but loving touch, outlining the joys of the tea party, with a vintage twist. It is separated into three sections which outline different types of tea parties - brunch, afternoon tea and evenings - with a myriad of yummy recipes interspersed with style suggestions, including patters for aprons or uses for odd teacups.

Whether you plan on hosting your own tea party, love cute recipe books or are looking for some vintage inspiration trying to find a copy of this book and enjoy it like the delicate cakes and tea-based cocktails it describes.