The winner of the UAE’s first Real High Tea Challenge by Dilmah Tea, for independent cafés and restaurants, is The Farm, Al Barari.
Judges Uwe Micheel, Osama El-Sayed and Samantha Wood assessed the four shortlisted outlets; Bertin Bistro & Restaurant, Nofara Café, The Farm and Mint Leaf of London.
The judges said: "The Farm’s beautiful presentation and creative infusion of tea into the menu was clearly the result of careful research. A lot of effort had gone into weaving together the elements of Dilmah Tea, incorporating the surrounding nature as well as exceptional pairings of tea and food all the while staying true to the tradition of afternoon tea.
"The entire experience was centred on tea and allowed the guests to have fun with innovative cold tea inventions as well as flawlessly brewed traditional tea. From perfect scones with goji and Incan berries rehydrated in Single Estate Darjeeling to menus handwritten on large green leaves, The Farm succeeded in putting their own signature touch to their Real High Tea menu."
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The Independent Café and Restaurant Challenge is designed to encourage creativity, plus learning and development in a wider audience. Participating outlets were provided with a selection of six varieties of Dilmah Tea and given up to three weeks to create a tea-infused real high tea to include well brewed tea and tea paired with food items.
This was then served in the outlet to members of the public from June 8–15, 2015. Judges visited each of the participating cafes to assess the high tea, and the winner will be flown on an all-expenses-paid trip (return airfare for one; accommodation, meals and round trip transfers in Sri Lanka) joining the Global High Tea Challenge from 29 June – 4 July 2015, to witness the 21 national champions from 14 countries battling it out for the top spot in the Toughest Tea Challenge in the World.
The judging criteria were: presentation of the tea menu, pairing of tea with food, and, overall presentation and table décor.
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