One of the most mouth-watering events lined up for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee weekend is the Big Lunch. And what better way to salute Her Majesty than with the quintessential Tea Party – complete with all the trimmings. The British Biscuit Festival kicks off on June 8 – and here, its participants share their secrets and recipes.
Biscuit Queen Miranda Gore Browne – of the BBC’s British Bake Off – has shared two of her delicious lavender and roly-poly jam recipes. Below, lifestyle consultants Bijoux Editrix steer you towards the title of 'hostess with the most-est.'
Tea Total "Diamond Jubilee parties only come around once every 60 years, so make sure your ingredients and tea are top quality. Buy the best brands in the land. Twinings, Whittard of Chelsea and Fortnum and Mason – whose foodhall the Queen recently visited with the Duchess of Cambridge – should be top of your list."
Taking the Biscuit "Nothing beats a homebaked biscuit, but feel free to supplement Miranda's delicious recipes with classic versions of the iconic British snack. Think retro classics that we all remember from childhood – Custard Creams, Rich Tea, Jammy Dodgers and little bowls of Iced Gems will all take you on a trip down memory lane."
Game for fun"While your home fills with the delicious smell of biscuits, elevate your Jubilee tea party to an assault on all the senses with these games:
Get mystic with spot of tea leaf readingChallenge your guest's creative skills in an icing and decorating competition Award a prize to the person who triumphs in a biscuit eating contest. "Go on, make your own biscuits, and then sit back to enjoy them with a lovely cup of tea: lavender and roly-poly jam recipes.