The Creative Brief Behind Bridgerton Afternoon Tea

Chocolate and the need to escape were the unlikely beginnings of one of London’s most recognisable afternoon teas. It was lockdown and Jo Stevenson, The Lanesborough’s Executive Head of Sales and Marketing, had recently been widowed. She was, as she recalls, miserable, eating rather too much chocolate and completely obsessed with Bridgerton. Somewhere in all that escapism, however, came an idea. The lavish Regency sets filling her television screen were creating a nostalgia for being back at The Lanesborough and its own grand interiors – the art, the architecture and the history. Why not bring the two together? So she started pursuing it.

It wasn’t a quick undertaking. Around four months of conversations, development and licensing followed before The Lanesborough launched London’s first exclusive Bridgerton-themed Afternoon Tea in March 2022, officially created with Netflix and Shondaland, the production company founded by Shonda Rhimes.

Four years later, the partnership is still going and the process behind each new Afternoon Tea is surprisingly exacting. For every new edition, the hotel is given an advance look at the creative direction of the forthcoming series. Mood boards arrive, together with Pantone references, characters and key storylines. From these, the team begins working out what Bridgerton might actually taste like.

Pastries, finger sandwiches and cocktails are developed, named and presented back to Netflix and Shondaland. And nothing escapes scrutiny. Recipes, names, menu descriptions, colours, presentation and photography all require approval, followed by a tasting and final sign-off.

The arrangement does have its privileges. The team gets a tantalising preview of what’s coming in the next series; cast members have been known to visit; and occasional script read-throughs have taken place at the hotel. Netflix and Shondaland also conduct mystery visits to ensure what arrives at the table matches what was approved.

One thing The Lanesborough hasn’t done is double as a Bridgerton set. Filming takes place at Shepperton Studios and on location elsewhere.

For Season 4, the Afternoon Tea follows Benedict Bridgerton’s story, right down to the accompanying drinks. Forbidden Love combines gin, basil, peach and jasmine with citrus and a mist of rose water, while the alcohol-free Behind the Mask brings together passion fruit, lychee and vanilla.

All rather a long way from Jo, a box of chocolates and an idea during lockdown. The Bridgerton obsession endured; the chocolate habit, we’re told, did not. Good job it wasn’t Forrest Gump.

Luxury Restaurant Club Privilege

Luxury Restaurant Club members can enjoy a complimentary Forbidden Love cocktail or Behind the Mask alcohol-free mocktail with The Lanesborough’s Bridgerton Afternoon Tea throughout August and September, valid Monday to Friday. See details.

Bridgerton Afternoon Tea – £92 per person.

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The Lanesborough
Hyde Park Corner
London
SW1X 7TA

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