Rosewood London Celebrates the Legacy of Vincent Van Gogh With New Art Afternoon Tea

From a wealth of masterpieces including his Sunflowers, The Starry Night and Almond Blossoms paintings, post-impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most celebrated names in Western art history. With classic pastries inspired by the Netherlands, Van Gogh’s hometown, and Paris, his residence in later years, Perkins has created a selection of desserts with flavour profiles inspired by Van Gogh’s still life painting drawings.

The Van Gogh Art Afternoon Tea will comprise three courses including traditional sandwiches, classic pastries, followed by Van Gogh inspired cakes.

Mark Perkins says: “As Van Gogh was deeply inspired by Britain and British art, and in turn, inspired many great British artists himself, this was the perfect basis for our new Art afternoon tea at Rosewood London. Incorporating the seasonality of Van Gogh’s works in the flavours of the cakes allowed me to experiment with different ingredients to fully embody the complexity of his works.”

The three classic pastries, influenced by Dutch flavours with a French twist, will offer diners a taste of the Netherlands. An Apple Butter cake or boterkoek – which is a traditional Dutch flat cake – comprised of a delicious vanilla cake with fresh, sweet apple, offers guests the perfect balance of sugar and spices.

A Strawberry Speculoos tartlet will sit inside a sweet pastry case finished with a speculoos cookie, vanilla cream and strawberry. Additionally, chocolate stroopwaffels choux will be available – choux pastry filled with caramel and chocolate diplomat cream – which will be finished with pieces of waffle crumb and a Van Gogh self portrait printed on white chocolate.

Perkins has taken the colourful and seasonal aesthetics of Van Gogh’s works, and translated them into three pastries, inspired by some of the artist’s most well-known paintings, but also paying homage to some of his lesser-known works.

Van gogh cakes

Alongside the pastry selection, guests will enjoy traditional afternoon tea sandwiches with a Van Gogh twist on a savoury tart as an addition. Filled with yellow spring vegetables and fresh herb cream cheese, the tart gives a nod to Van Gogh’s favourite colour, yellow, which is reflected throughout his various works.

Rosewood London will also add the “Thé des Impressionnistes,” a green tea with a flowery vanilla taste, by Mariage Frères as a special offering for the Van Gogh afternoon tea. Diners will also be able to choose from a wide selection of other Mariage Frères teas to complement their meal. Additionally, Rosewood London has crafted an exclusive cocktail to complement the Van Gogh Art afternoon tea called ‘The Arles Sunflowers’. Made with Bols Genever, Sipsmith London Cup, Belsazar White, Apricot puree, Pandan syrup, Yuzu and Tonic Water, the inspiration again comes from some of the most important pieces of Van Gogh’s work: the Sunflowers series. Offering a slightly more complex and fruity riff on the classic gin and tonic, the use of Bols Genever provides further authenticity as the original Dutch spirit, created from lightly distilled Dutch grains and a complex botanical mix.

The Art Afternoon Tea is available weekdays from 2:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., and Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. It is priced at £60 per person. An R de Rui n art Van Gogh Afternoon Tea is also available at £70 and Ruinart Rose Van Gogh Afternoon Tea for £75.