The luxury retailer Fortnum & Mason is launching a new afternoon tea hamper with Dame Mary Berry as the broadcaster celebrates her 90th birthday — and it will cost £180.
Included are four scones, clotted cream, morello cherry and Cognac preserve, pistachio and clotted cream biscuits, a bottle of Fortnum’s own label English sparkling wine, loose leaf tea, champagne truffles, and a carrot cake traybake.
While the traybake does not appear to be sold separately, the other items would come in at just under £100 if bought individually.
The retailer said the collaboration honours the “simple pleasure of a traditional cream tea”, one of the West Country’s most famous exports.
Berry, who prefers to add jam before cream, said: “I’ve always believed that a good afternoon tea is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and to work with Fortnum & Mason, who are so synonymous with this tradition, has been a joy.
“Together we’ve created a hamper that I hope brings as much happiness to those who enjoy it as it did to us creating it.”
Fortnum & Mason has long been associated with upmarket teas and confectionery, with scones one of its most popular products.
The department store will also be selling a range of Berry’s cakes – whole or by the slice – at its patisserie counter from August 20, including her strawberry frasier cake, a chocolate truffle cake, a luxury lemon cheesecake, and carrot cake.
Berry’s frasier cake will set customers back £50, while the cheesecake will be £30 a go.
Liz Morgan from Fortnum & Mason said: “Mary represents everything that is wonderful about British food culture, and this collection brings together her timeless baking expertise with Fortnum’s heritage as the home of tea. It’s a celebration of craftsmanship, indulgence and, above all, the pleasure of sharing good food.”
Fortnum & Mason is well-known for its upmarket hampers, which date back to 1730. The Fortnum’s collection, made up of various sweet treats and tea, is £165, while one of the most lavish, the Windsor, costs £1,000.
The limited edition Mary Berry afternoon tea hamper launches on August 20. fortnumandmason.com
