Kokova Magazine

British chocolate maker Thorntons has teamed up with the prestigious Park Lane Hotel in London to create an indulgent chocolate afternoon tea exclusively for Chocolate Week 14th - 20th October 2013

Thorntons' Master Chocolatier Keith Hurdman has been working closely with the hotel's Head Pastry Chef, Sarah Hartnett, to create a chocolate afternoon tea influenced by some of Thorntons' exciting new flavours, with chocolate running right through the menu from the sandwiches to the desserts.

Inspired by the upcoming Delicious Discovery range, the sandwich selection includes fillings based on Moroccan spice, smoked almond with chilli salt, salt and pepper cashew with strawberry, toffee, fudge and slightly salted pecans.

Guests can enjoy an exclusive taste of the new Dreamy Desserts collection, which is launching in stores early next year. Three of the chocolate pastry flavours will be based on the collection with Tiramisu, Passion Fruit and White Chocolate Mousse and Raspberry Cheesecake amongst the tasty offerings. The tea will end with a free sample from the Dreamy Desserts range.

A Thornton's experience wouldn't be complete without that personal touch, which is why every guest will receive a personalised iced chocolate tag to take home.

Guests will also be able to catch a glimpse of a magnificent, giant chocolate sculpture created by Keith Hurdman, which will take pride of place in the luxurious surroundings.

All this sounded too good to be true so we went along for a preview of the afternoon tea at the Park Lane Hotel.

"The Palm Court is London's most prestigious Art Deco lounge and walking into the Park Lane Hotel is like temporarily stepping away from reality and the hustle and bustle of life. It is a breath of fresh air and a reintroduction to the way things used to be (think Downton Abbey and you'll be getting the picture).

Friendly, efficient yet unobtrusive staff cater for your every need while you sink into a super-sized sofa and listen to a collection of current songs interpreted by Palm Court's resident harpist. We settled down with a glass of Mumm champagne and admired the chocolate sculpture, created by Keith Hurdman for Chocolate Week, while waiting for our tea experience to begin.

We could tell you we had a wonderful time, that the company was delightful, the food divine and the Vanilla Black Tea probably one of the best selections we have ever tried. We could explain in detail all the flavours and how they blend, and at past events we would probably try - yet on this occasion we think that the only way to discover this is to take some time out and treat yourselves to a wonderful afternoon tea because the Thornton's Indulgent Chocolate Afternoon Tea is as much an experience as a taste sensation, a moment in time to simply stop and enjoy.

The menu brought together flavours that we would not think to marry and pushes your taste buds to consider something new.

What we will say is that it is worth every penny to spend an unhurried afternoon (Park Lane have no set sitting times) relaxing in beautiful surroundings, in a bygone atmosphere.

Thornton's Indulgent Chocolate Afternoon Tea is a feast for your senses, it is delicate and bite-sized yet completely filling. Each taste combination has been carefully brought together to delight and the whole affair fits perfectly into the luxurious surroundings of the Palm Court at the Park Lane Hotel.

And when you leave you will take home a lot more than just the delicious Thornton's personalised iced chocolate tag."

Thornotn's Indulgent Chocolate Afternoon Tea Menu

Sandwiches

• Cocoa, tamarind and thyme cured salmon, basil bread
• Moroccan spiced roast sirloin of beef, wild rocket and cucumber yoghurt
• Salt and pepper roast corn fed chicken, cashew nut, celery mustard mayonnaise, mini ciabbatta
• Mushroom and rosemary crème brulee, parmesan crumble
• Prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, manzanella olive and crudo (a type of chocolate) Panini

Scones

• Plain
• Roasted cocoa nib & chocolate chip
• Chocolate

Homemade jams and curd to accompany the scones

• Chocolate and raspberry jam
• Lemon & white chocolate curd
• Clotted cream
• Seasonal fruit jam

Chocolate Pastries

• Passion fruit and white chocolate mousse, macadamia nut crisps
• Tiramisu with mascarpone, roasted almonds & espresso jelly
• Raspberry cheesecake bombe, malted white chocolate shortbread biscuits
• Coconut mousse with milk chocolate and lime cream centre and crunchy coconut

Selection of Fine Jing Teas

• Vanilla black tea - Black Vietnamese tea-leaf infused with vanilla pods to compliments the chocolate

The Thorntons Chocolate Week Afternoon Tea at The Park Lane Hotel will be served from 12th October to 27th October (3pm - 6pm on weekdays and 2pm - 6pm at weekends) in The Palm Court and costs £41 per person with Mumm champagne or £33 without.

To book, call The Palm Court on 020 7499 6321or visit www.palmcourtlondon.co.uk