Traditional British tea parties — complete with scones, trifle and cucumber sandwiches — are not commonplace on this side of the pond, especially in a region where “tea” usually implies the cold and sweet variety.

Growing up in England, however, some of Pat Hutto’s earliest memories involved tea. “I have especially fond memories of walking home from my village school on a winter’s day, anticipating that afternoon cup of tea and biscuit waiting for me as I walked through the door,” Hutto, manager of the Florence Elston Inn and Conference Center at Sweet Briar College, said.


From 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12, Hutto will relive some of those childhood memories when she hosts an afternoon tea in the Wailes Lounge of the inn and conference center. The cost of admission is $12.50 and the event is limited to 50 people.

Assisted by Sweet Briar students, Hutto will serve several varieties of tea — Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Orange Pekoe and Blackcurrant — and will use many of the 70-some teapots in her personal collection. Hutto, who once owned a British tea room in Virginia Beach, said “I have so many [teapots] now that my husband has made a shelf that goes around our living room about ten feet high.”

Additional menu items include English trifle, lemon curd tarts, meringues filled with Devonshire cream, teatime finger sandwiches — cucumber and cream cheese, smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise, and cress and Cheddar chutney — and freshly baked scones served with strawberry preserves and Devonshire cream.

What, you might ask, is the oft-mentioned Devonshire cream? “Devonshire cream is a cream produced in the counties of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset,” Hutto explained, adding there is “no substitute for this wonderful accompaniment.”

In addition, a stringed quartet from E.C. Glass High School will provide the afternoon entertainment and a sherry aperitif will be served.

Hutto hosted a similar event two years ago, which sold out in a matter of days and was enjoyed by 45 people. “Several ladies at my last event were all decked out with flowery hats and white gloves,” she said, adding that although there is no requirement to gussy up it is a “great excuse to pull that pretty dress out of the closet.”

All this talk of hats, gloves and dresses, however, does not preclude men from taking time for tea. “It’s not just for ladies,” Hutto said. “I already have a number of gentlemen who will attend.”

For reservations or more information, call (434) 381-6266.

— By Suzanne Ramsey, SBC staff writer