Melbourne Cup High Tea – Horses and H’ors D’ouvres

I have been looking for an excuse to host a high tea for a while, so when I realised the Melbourne Cup was coming up, it seemed like the perfect occasion.

The first thing I did was go op-shopping, to steal an idea I saw at a high tea a few weeks ago at Toronto Library.  It involves collecting mismatched plates and glasses and building your own tiered cake stands.  I love op-shopping, especially at place like The Gallery of Lost and Found at Long Jetty – it’s like an Aladdin’s cave of treasures.  I picked up some great pieces there, and also at Vinnies and Salvos stores in Gosford.

I was able to do some of the food ahead – on Sunday Paddy helped me make little sausage rolls which we froze; and on Monday I made lemon curd, sandwich fillings and cupcakes.  That way all I had to do on Melbourne Cup day was assemble the tarts and sandwiches, make the scones and ice the cupcakes.  And set up the back deck, of course!

I made sure there was plenty of champagne on ice, along with a selection of mineral waters and teas.  I have an eclectic collection of teacups and glasses, some from family, some were gifts, and some found in op-shops over the years.  I love these odd old things and I think they look every bit as beautiful as whole sets of china or glassware.

I asked my friend and rose-grower Nicky from Roses 2 Go, for some open roses – you know the kind, already bloomed, probably not too many days left in them, a bit overblown and shabby-chic looking.  Nicky, who we have bought stunning roses from for years, went slightly berserk and I think my back deck had more flowers than the real Melbourne Cup marquees.

The last ingredient was of course, my guests!  Some neighbours and friends joined me in all their racing finery.  We ran a couple of sweeps, one being a “pink” sweep, with the proceeds going to the McGrath Foundation.  The way this worked was that, instead of distributing the money as the sweep prize, we had some other goodies as prizes and the money went to McGrath for their wonderful Breast Care Nurses.

I have to say, the champagne glasses got much more of a workout than the teacups.  We had some happy sweeps winners but none of us had backed a winner with the real bookies.  We couldn’t pick a winner for fashion in the field, as everybody had made an effort and looked marvellous. (Except me, I ran out of time to get a hat and so wore one we made for a fancy-dress party where Mick went as the Mad Hatter.)

It was a beautiful afternoon and I had so much fun preparing for it too.  It’s a great way to entertain because much of the work can be done beforehand.  It was a lovely mix of people too, many didn’t know each other at the start of the day but we were all chatting and laughing (and screaming at the horses) very quickly.

Now I am looking for my next excuse to host a high tea.  Ideas, anyone?