Launching Sunday, 10 July, experience an afternoon of lavish snacks at The Continental Sorrento with Champagne and premium teas on offer alongside a new High Tea offering curated by Scott Pickett. 

As a young chef in France, Pickett worked with some of the best pastry chefs in the world, indulging his passions by mastering the art of macarons and choux pastry. Upon returning to Melbourne, he began work at the Windsor Hotel which offered its first High Tea in 1883, making it the longest-running and most iconic High Tea in Melbourne.

“The luxury we brought to such a simple experience, afternoon tea and scones, is something I think about in relation to my cooking often. Simple items and ingredients, yet elevated and elegant. I am really enjoying tapping into this experience with my team, and then adding some colour and flair to the tradition,” says Scott Pickett.

Pickett has developed a vibrant menu with Head Pastry Chef, Kevin Gully, featuring decadent sweet and savoury treats.. 

Guests can expect classic favourites such as fresh scones served with house-made marmalade and cream, whilst the rest of the menu will rotate weekly. Think a collection of indulgent and inventive bites such as:

• Pavlova with lemon myrtle meringue, lemon Chantilly, blueberry jam, fresh blueberry
• Smoked salmon, cream cheese, finger lime, soft herbs, bagel
• Apple rhubarb and ginger trifle with crumble, ginger compote, vanilla creme diplomate
• Spanner crab croissant, tarragon, shallot, lemon crème fraiche
• Choux pastry, green tea cream, yuzu Chantilly
• Mushroom chive vol-au-vent, shimeji mushroom à la grecque
• Coconut cassis finger with coconut sponge, cassis cream, coconut whipped ganache
• Croissant of San Daniele prosciutto, Comté cheese, French mustard

Diners can choose from a premium selection of teas by Yugen or opt to pop a bottle of Taittinger Brut Champagne.

“High Tea at the Conti will be an experience that brings a tradition into the present, in the perfect setting – our stunning light-filled Atrium. Start with bubbles and a finger sandwich, then onto a cuppa with scones and cream. Sounds like a perfect afternoon to me!,” says Scott Pickett.

“This has been something we’ve wanted to offer since the inception of The Continental Sorrento - with Scott’s French pastry experience and a venue filled with such rich history and extravagance, we know it’s going to be a very special occasion that our customers will enjoy,” says Craig Shearer.

With its soaring glass ceiling and lush green-house interior landscaping, The Atrium is a timeless, conservatory-style dining space welcoming guests with elegance, grandeur and spirit of a by-gone era, into the heart of The Continental Sorrento. 

Event details 
Date: Every Sunday from 10 July
Time: 12-2pm, 2:30-5pm (Please note, bookings for the second sitting will open once the first sitting is at or close to capacity)
Price: $75pp, inclusive of food, tea and a glass of sparkling. Other drinks will be on the menu at an additional cost.
Bookings: https://thecontinentalsorrento.com.au/high-tea

Vegetarians can be catered for upon request, and large tables are available for groups.