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How to Host and Enjoy a Stress-Free Garden Party & Picnic

Chiara Bedini

With the Chelsea Flower Show, bank holidays and summer finally approaching, entertaining can sometimes feel a little stressful. Here Chiara, a seasoned expert in entertaining at private parties and events, alongside running the world-famous Babingtons Tea Rooms in Rome, shares her well-learned tips and advice, so you can enjoy the party too!

Chiara brings her gift and passion to life in every aspect of the brand experience. Whether writing her tea blog or designing and delivering tea courses & events ranging from tea etiquette to the perfect afternoon Victorian Tea.

“We don’t serve tea; we serve the unique Babingtons experience and story in a cup”

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Enjoy preparing your go-to favourite snacks as the main staple and be as fresh and seasonal as possible to up the flavour stakes.

For a big spread, it’s always easier to host a picnic in your own garden allowing you to serve different selections including chilled food.

Cover food with a piece of clean damp material or kitchen paper, to keep flies at bay whilst also maintaining some moisture on a hot sunny day.

If you’re enjoying a local park or the great outdoors, simplify your offering to enable you to keep everything fresh, as not all food travels well.

Serving Tea at Home

Either hot or cold tea, can be served from a small garden table.

Decorate with freshly picked flowers, napkins, pretty plates (even cardboard), spoons and dessert forks and of course teacups or glasses.

You can also have fun laying out different 'dressings' for the tea, or even teas if you like. For example, if you’re serving iced tea, you can prepare a traditional black tea and let your guests add lemon or orange slices, pieces of strawberries, cherries, peach, mint leaves, and cinnamon.

If you decide you would like to serve hot tea, always have a pot of cold milk and sugar ready. Maybe some orange slices for our beautiful Imperial Earl Grey.

Why not try Babingtons delicious Moroccan Secret, a speciality green tea with peppermint leaves? Serve with or without sugar, hot or cold.

Serving Tea on The Move

You will need either hot or cold thermos (sweeten and dress the tea before leaving home), tea cups or mugs for the hot tea and glasses for the iced tea.

Be Comfortable & Aware of The Sun

Picnics are always more enjoyable when you’re comfortable. Cushions, fold away chairs & tables and plenty of blankets allow for a fun picnic experience for all.


Bring cover. Umbrellas provide some shade for protecting foods from the sun and allow your guests a little relief.

THE FEATURED BLENDS

Made by blending Gunpowder Chinese green tea with peppermint leaves, this cooling blend is delicious both hot and iced, with or without sugar.


If you are searching for a truly refreshing blend, then you’ve found it! Babingtons Moroccan Secret is made by blending the tightly rolled Chinese green tea called Gunpowder, with peppermint leaves. An explosion of freshness, with a sweet aftertaste. Very popular in the Middle East and in Northern Africa, our mint green tea is one of Babingtons best sellers worldwide.

A traditional, intense blend of black tea and bergamot, enriched with lemon peel and vibrant flowers.


Babingtons’ version of the world’s most famous black scented tea, the Imperial Earl Grey is an intense and citrussy, yet very well balanced, all-natural blend.