Afternoon tea is a lovely way to spend quality time with family and friends.

You can enjoy everything from smoked salmon sandwiches and sticky buns to jam scones and biscuits. After all, afternoon tea is the most fashionable and fun excuse to eat some delicious treats.

And choosing the right afternoon platter removes all the hassle.

Here are some quick serving guidelines to ensure your afternoon tea party goes off without a hitch.

What is afternoon tea?

Afternoon tea is simply any blend of teas, pastries and finger foods eaten in the afternoon.

It often includes delicate pastries, various sandwiches, scones and cakes.

The traditional English afternoon tea is traced back to the Victorian era when the Duchess of Bedford at the time decided that a mid-afternoon meal was the best way to satisfy her cravings and entertain guests.

These not-so-humble beginnings have inspired similar style afternoon gatherings for centuries. These traditional events feature some variation of our Finger Sandwich Platter, an enduring favourite at any afternoon tea party.

This is often paired with a sweet option like our Mini Boutique Cake Collection, a classy choice with plenty of variety.

There are also many more modern twists on what afternoon tea platters should look like.

For example, our Gourmet Pie and Sausage Roll Platter has noticed a surge in popularity as an afternoon tea favourite.

Afternoon tea means different things to different people but the most important thing is choosing a platter that’s perfect for you.

What makes a great afternoon platter?

A truly great food platter should have something to excite everyone.

Take our Charcuterie & Artisanal Cheese Grazing Platter. This ever-popular platter is practically bursting with new flavours and fresh tastes.

All three of the deliciously different cracker types pair well with any of the artisan cheeses or sliced cured meats. The rule of threes is a common theme when serving afternoon tea as it helps to balance out the spread.

The Muffin Platter is another delicious example, featuring spiced apple, chocolate and raspberry and blueberry muffins to choose from.

An assortment of exciting flavours is what elevates your afternoon platter to greatness.

After all afternoon tea is less about chowing down on a meal and more about trying, tasting and enjoying tasty foods.

Afternoon Platters for Dietary Requirements

It’s important that your afternoon tea platter is something that can be enjoyed by all your guests.

Luckily, it’s easier than ever to find equally as scrumptious alternatives for people with dietary requirements.

Our Gourmet Vegan & Gluten Free Bites Platter is a positively mouth-watering option for your vegan and gluten-free guests.

If a snack simply doesn’t sound like enough, then another crowd-pleaser is our Chickpea Falafel Slider Platter. This vegetarian option is a more filling choice and ideal for anyone looking to extend their afternoon event into the evening.

Those looking for something a little sweeter will love our Brownie Platter. It’s another unmissable gluten-free afternoon tea platter, this time boasting three delicious brownie flavours.

Sweet Treat Afternoon Tea Platters

Tastefully sweet treats for afternoon tea are an excellent choice.

Picture the classic three-tiered dessert tray, brimming with buttered scones, soft sponge cakes and meringue tarts.

When it comes to dessert options, nothing beats our Classic Pastry Platter. The timeless assortment includes mini muffins, danishes and features flavoursome combos like raspberry, dark chocolate and white chocolate drizzle.

This mouth-watering spread is often paired with our ever-popular Sweet Treat Platter.

This truly delicious collection of your favourite treats boasts brownies, muffins, doughnuts and tarts. It’s a popular platter for book clubs and any afternoon event where you can enjoy some sweet and classy treats.

If you’re putting together something a little less fancy then our Mixed Lollie Party Platter is another great afternoon platter.

This assortment of lollies, chocolates and Oreo biscuits will make you an instant hero at any kid’s party.

Kick your afternoon event off with sweet treats your guests are guaranteed to love.

Best Savoury Afternoon Tea Platters

A savoury flourish to your afternoon tea is an absolute must. Traditionally, this is in the form of sandwiches and scones but has grown to include a whole range of exceptional foods.

If you’re looking to impress on a budget, then our Savoury Parcel Platter is an absolutely mouth-watering platter at a great price.

Our Mediterranean Mezze Grazing Platter is ideal for nibbling and experiencing a variety of classic flavours. If you’re looking to stand or move a little more, then these appetizing grazing foods are perfect for you.

However, the ultimate platter for any afternoon tea celebration is our Mini Quiche Platter. The cheese lends a smooth and creamy richness to the buttery flaky pie crust that will melt in your mouth.

This incredibly popular finger food may have originated in France but it has since become an afternoon tea favourite right across the world.

Tasteful Twists on a Traditional Afternoon Tea

There’s much to love about a traditional afternoon tea. The classic jam scones, Victorian sponge cakes and finger sandwiches make a lovely picturesque spread.

However, there are so many other flavours to explore with a more modern take on afternoon tea - like our incredibly impressive Deluxe Seafood Platter.

Enjoy the very best the ocean has to offer, topped off with three tasty sauces.

Fresh lobster, oysters, prawns and Balmain bugs aren’t exactly a traditional afternoon meal but they sure are delicious and set the fun vibe.

Our Salmon Sushi Platter is an amazing option for all the sushi lovers out there. But tell your guests to get in quick because this popular platter rarely leaves leftovers.

And perhaps the most daring and delicious option of them all - our Signature Bao Bun Platter. It features outrageously tasteful combos like chill beef banh mi with lemongrass, cucumbers, pickles and sriracha mayo.

Any of these renowned afternoon tea platters is guaranteed to excite and impress your guests.

Start Serving Up a Delightful Afternoon Tea

The best way to dazzle your guests is with Sydney and Melbourne’s most delicious afternoon tea platters.

Impress for less with the dozens of classy afternoon platters available from Catering Project.

Order today and receive next-day delivery on any of our exciting afternoon platters!