The Ritz wins 2004 Top London Afternoon Tea Award

31st March 2004

The Tea Council has announced The Ritz London as the winner of this year?s prestigious Top London Afternoon Tea Award today.

April 2004

The Tea Council has announced The Ritz London as the winner of this year´s prestigious Top London Afternoon Tea Award today.

Throughout November and December, a team of mystery tea tasters from The Tea Council´s Tea Guild secretly visited London tea venues and hotels in a bid to find the capital´s finest brew. The mystery inspector described The Ritz as the "perfect venue for afternoon tea".

As you would expect in a competition run by The Tea Council, the tea itself plays a central part in the judging of the afternoon tea experience. Inspectors assess not only the variety and quality of the teas offered but also the way in which the tea is brewed and served.

The Ritz achieved extremely high marks for hygiene, décor, crockery, staff attitude and efficiency of service. Judges commented on the beautifully presented and delicious cakes and sandwiches. The quality of service was also noted as making afternoon tea at The Ritz an extraordinarily memorable experience.

There was tough competition in the search for Top London Afternoon Tea Place and competitors were marked not only for the range, quality and taste of the teas, but also for the standard of service and overall ambience.

Previous winners of the Top London Afternoon Tea Award include The Four Seasons Hotel (2003) and The Dorchester (2002), both of which boast luxury and style.

Executive Director of The Tea Council, Bill Gorman comments: â??The competition recognises and rewards excellent standards of tea-making in typically British and traditional hotels.

The service and tea at The Ritz is excellent and the famously elegant and delightful décor make for a wonderfully memorable afternoon. With the piano gently playing in the background guests can soak up the surroundings and sumptuous food whilst relaxing and feeling truly special for an afternoon of luxury."

The Tea Council has teamed up with the AA to produce 'Britain's Best Afternoon Tea' guide. Awards for Top Tea Place, Top London Tea Place and Top Country House Hotel, a new category introduced this year, have been given, in addition to 40 Awards of Excellence to tea places throughout the UK.

The AA & Tea Council´s 'Britain's Best Afternoon Tea' guide is available from 1st April in all good bookshops or online at www.tea.co.uk and www.theAA.com/bookshop and costs £9.99.

Notes to editors:

* On 29th March at 10.30am, the Executive Director of The Tea Council Bill Gorman will present the Top London Afternoon Tea award to Stephen Boxall, General Manager, The Ritz.

* Photographs are available on request.

This year´s winner is: The Ritz

150, Piccadilly

London, W1J 9BR

* The Tea Council is a non-profit making, independent organisation dedicated to raising the profile of tea in the UK. The website address is www.tea.co.uk

* Review copies of 'Britain's Best Afternoon Tea' available on request

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