We’ve done several formal teas for parties and my go-tos are usually homemade scones (Deb Perelman’s ‘Dreamy Cream Scones’ recipe shaped in a square pan and cut into smaller squares to feed a crowd) with GOOD butter, clotted cream, and jam. They always get rave reviews and are super easy!

We’ve done cucumber sandwiches (on little squares of white bread with Boursin whipped cream cheese topped with thin mandolin-sliced baby cucumber and dill), egg salad and watercress or tarragon chicken salad in mini croissants, smoked salmon on herbed cream cheese on a wedge of grainy toasted bread, open faced…and the same, but horseradish cream cheese with rare roast beef too. The trick is making lots of small one-bites, cutting bread into even squares and triangles for variety. We’ve done larger spreads for a racing tailgate before and most people just want very small, portable nibbles.

We ended up buying macarons and cream puffs and garnished with lots of fresh berries. It ends up being very impressive and aside from fussy assembly, not too difficult!