Photography by PA Photo, David Parry.
How We Created a British Afternoon Tea Experience for 50 Guests on a Moving London Open-Top Bus
The Brief
When a leading London PR agency approached us to cater the launch event celebrating 75 years of The Original Tour, they wanted something that felt unmistakably British.
The event would take place aboard one of London's iconic open-top sightseeing buses, travelling through the capital while carrying journalists, influencers and invited guests. Every element of the food and drink needed to reflect the occasion, celebrating the very best of British produce and traditions while being practical enough to enjoy on a moving vehicle.
With no kitchen, no serving space and no opportunity to replenish food once the bus had departed, every detail had to be carefully planned before the first guest climbed aboard.
The Challenge
Creating an afternoon tea for fifty guests isn't unusual.
Creating one that can be enjoyed comfortably on the top deck of an open-top London bus while weaving through city traffic is something else entirely.
We needed to produce individual afternoon tea boxes that would:
be easy to hold and eat while seated
remain perfectly presented throughout the journey
cope with movement, corners and braking
cater for multiple dietary requirements
include drinks without making the boxes cumbersome
reinforce the British theme from beginning to end.
As the event would be highly visual, every box also needed to look as good on camera as it did in person.
Designing a Truly British Afternoon Tea
Rather than simply serving a traditional afternoon tea, we designed a menu that celebrated British ingredients, flavours and producers.
Every guest received their own beautifully presented afternoon tea box containing a selection of classic finger sandwiches, handmade savouries, cakes, fresh fruit and carefully selected drinks.
Sweet Treats
To complete the afternoon tea experience, guests enjoyed:
Classic Victoria sponge
Carrot cake with cream cheese icing
Rich chocolate brownie
Fresh Kent berries
Savouries
Each box also included either:
Handmade pork sausage roll
Spinach & ricotta roll
depending on dietary requirements.
Finger Sandwiches
Guests enjoyed a selection of traditional British fillings including:
Smoked salmon & cream cheese
Cucumber & cream cheese
Free-range egg mayonnaise & watercress
Mature Cheddar ploughman's
Honey roast ham with English mustard
Free-range chicken mayonnaise
Keeping the Drinks Perfectly British
The drinks selection was just as carefully considered.
To continue the British theme, guests enjoyed a choice of:
English sparkling wine
Pimm's
English sparkling tea for non-drinkers
English sparkling juices for children and soft drink guests
Every drink was selected because it complemented the afternoon tea while celebrating British producers.
Catering for Every Guest
The guest list included a range of dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and alcohol-free options.
Rather than relying on labels or written menus, every afternoon tea box was stamped with a simple set of icons identifying exactly what was inside.
Each box was clearly marked to indicate:
Meat
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten-free
Alcohol
Non-alcoholic
Soft drinks
This meant every guest could immediately identify the correct box, allowing the event organisers to distribute meals quickly and confidently without confusion.
It's a small detail, but one that makes a significant difference when serving large groups at busy events.
Designed for Life on the Move
Unlike a traditional afternoon tea served in a hotel or venue, these boxes needed to perform while travelling through central London.
Each component was carefully positioned within the box to minimise movement during the journey while still creating an attractive presentation when opened.
Individual portions meant guests could comfortably enjoy their food without balancing plates or cutlery, making the experience relaxed, practical and enjoyable from start to finish.
A Truly Memorable Experience
The afternoon tea became part of the event itself.
As the bus travelled past some of London's most famous landmarks, guests enjoyed their British-inspired afternoon tea while taking in views of Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square and the West End.
Professional celebrity look-alikes portraying famous British personalities added another layer of entertainment throughout the journey, creating a fun and memorable atmosphere that perfectly matched the celebration.
The afternoon tea boxes quickly became part of the social media coverage, with guests photographing and sharing both the food and the experience throughout the event.
The Result
The event successfully combined sightseeing, entertainment and catering into one memorable British experience.
By carefully considering every aspect of the brief—from the menu and drinks through to packaging and dietary management—we delivered an afternoon tea that looked beautiful, travelled well and celebrated everything the client wanted to showcase.
For us, it demonstrated something we pride ourselves on with every event:
Great catering isn't just about producing exceptional food. It's about understanding the event, anticipating the practical challenges and designing an experience that works perfectly for every guest.
“We hired Salters Events for a press and influencer event. They created beautiful afternoon tea boxes and provided a mix of soft and alcoholic drinks. We had fabulous feedback from guests, our client and team. If you’re looking for a catering partner, these guys are the best!”
Photography by PA Photo, David Parry.
Planning a Unique Corporate Event?
Whether you're organising a product launch, press event, client experience, company celebration or corporate hospitality event, we love helping clients turn creative ideas into memorable experiences.
From individually packaged afternoon teas and luxury picnic boxes to fully serviced receptions, canapés and fine dining, we work with businesses across London to create bespoke catering that reflects their brand and leaves a lasting impression.
If you're planning something a little different, we'd love to hear about it.