Rosewood London Celebrates Rodin with Sculpture-Inspired Afternoon Tea

This spring, Rosewood London will launch the ‘Rodin Afternoon Tea’, in partnership with the British Museum’s upcoming exhibition Rodin and the art of ancient Greece, opening on 26th April. Following the success of the ‘Art Afternoon Tea’, which was influenced by contemporary artists, Executive Pastry Chef Mark Perkins has adapted the concept and taken it one step further, creating an exciting series of beautifully sculptural and intricate pastries, this time inspired by some of Rodin’s most famous creations.

The British Museum’s exhibition will display over 80 works in marble, bronze and plaster, along with some of Rodin’s sketches displayed alongside ancient Greek art, demonstrating how the sculptor was influenced by these antiquities.

An entirely new tea offering, concept house Studio Appétit has worked with Mark to design a unique multi-sensory experience that represents Rodin’s work in unconventional ways. Immediately immersed in the artistic atmosphere, guests will be welcomed to the Mirror Room by a periodic French soundtrack and the gentle tapping sound of a large fragrant ‘chocolate stone’ as it is chiselled. The artisanal chocolate is infused with Rodin-inspired spices and florals, embedded with shimmering crystallised violets. Guests will be encouraged to take part in the experience themselves as they chip away at the chocolate, receiving a piece of ‘rubble’ to take away, presented in mini boxes bearing the Rosewood seal. The aural and interactive elements of the offering complement the creative and visual afternoon tea itself.

Once seated, diners will be greeted by an edible ‘opening gesture’ to cleanse their palate before beginning their journey. Elements of the Rodin Afternoon Tea will be enjoyed as a traditional afternoon tea, complete with delicate finger sandwiches and freshly baked scones from the pastry kitchen. A selection of Mariage Frères teas, a nod towards Rodin’s French heritage, will complement the art-themed experience. Mariage Frères represents the most refined qualities of the French art of living, and their unique tea blends are a combination of elegance and creativity. The expert team there sampled over 800 teas before meticulously creating a recommended list of 60 of the best possible flavour matches for the Rosewood London team to select from.

After scones with homemade lemon curd or strawberry and elderflower jam, the tea will finish with Mark Perkins’ trio of carefully crafted patisserie, all of which incorporate traditional French baking techniques and aim to capture the essence of Rodin’s works.

“I am very pleased to have created a third art-inspired afternoon tea, especially as we have partnered with our iconic neighbour the British Museum,” “Creating this collection was a thrilling experience. Since Rodin himself was a frequent visitor to the British Museum and drew a lot of influence from their extensive Greek sculpture collection, I was able to explore his inspiration first-hand along with his powerful artworks. Each pastry has been an exciting challenge, and I look forward to welcoming both art and food lovers to come and try them.”

Mark Perkins, Executive Pastry Chef

The Kiss

One of Rodin’s most recognisable marble sculptures has been represented as two intertwined marble chocolate shards cradling a marble glazed mousse, on a base of white chocolate joconde sponge. Contrasting the subtle exterior, the pastry will contain a vivid and aromatic floral raspberry and rose jelly, all of which will be covered by a delicate layer of sprayed chocolate.

The Thinker

Inspired by the globally recognised pose of Rodin’s The Thinker, Mark Perkins has created a chocolate silhouette of the sculpture, which will sit against a background of a chocolate sablé - a type of French shortbread - Mariage Frères Earl Grey mousse and soft chocolate sponge.

The Age of Bronze

Exploring the materiality of Rodin’s work, Mark Perkins has imagined an edible take on The Age of Bronze. Having explored the physical effects of weather on Rodin’s bronze sculptures, and how materials change, Perkins has created a caramel crème brûlée encased in an ‘aged bronze’ chocolate nut coating, finished with an edible Rosewood seal, also brushed with bronze. The dessert will sit on a chocolate sablé cookie.

Alongside these creations will sit some more traditional French pastries, inspired by Rodin’s fondness for the book of renowned poet Charles Baudelaire, Les Fleurs Du Mal (‘Flowers of Evil’), which Rodin even illustrated. These will include a bespoke macaron designed after Rodin’s illustrations in the book, and will incorporate a variety of floral flavours.

With every detail meticulously thought out, the afternoon tea will be served on china specially created in collaboration with William Edwards for Rosewood London. The top of the bespoke tea ware will serve as a canvas for the patisserie, with the underside bearing delicate geometric designs inspired by both Rosewood London’s architecture and the British Museum’s vitrines.

In addition, the Rodin-inspired pastries will be presented on a cake stand which Studio Appétit has designed, with the top tier displaying a mini sculpture garden, emphasising the sculptural elements of these culinary art interpretations, and representing the outdoor environments in which several of the artist’s sculptures are displayed.

Rosewood London prides itself on exhibiting exceptional artworks by some of the most celebrated contemporary artists, from witty sketches of 18 th century society to 3D artworks displayed in the Mirror Room. These artworks are displayed on a rotating basis throughout the year, ensuring that Rosewood’s art offering remains relevant and interesting for all visitors.

The Rodin Afternoon Tea will be available for the duration of the exhibition, from April 26 th to July 29 th.