Sophie Farrah grabs a cuppa with Marianna Hadjigeorgiou at her popular tearoom, Orange Pekoe, to hear about the inspirational creations she has planned for this month’s Barnes Food Fair...
Stylish, friendly tearoom Orange Pekoe (pronounced pee-ko) is something of an institution in Barnes. Founded by tea specialist Marianna Hadjigeorgiou more than 13 years ago, its afternoon tea has been hailed as one of the best in the capital by the likes of Tatler and Time Out, and alongside its popular breakfast, brunch and lunch menus, there are more than 100 teas and organic herbs on offer.
“I was born in the UK, but my parents came over from Cyprus, so we always had people visiting and the living room was basically a continual pot of tea! I remember the smell of it and the smell of cakes that my mum and my nan had made. It was my safe place,” Marianna says.
“At Pekoe, I wanted to create an afternoon tea that felt homely, cosy and comforting and I wanted it to be affordable and accessible. I also wanted the staff to be well-trained and really knowledgeable about the tea.”
Which they most certainly are. Tea is brewed with precision – scales and thermometers are involved – and there is always a tea-rista (the tea equivalent of a barista) on hand. More recently, Marianna and her team have expanded their tea knowledge even further, by diving into the delicious world of tea and coffee cocktails no less, and for the past three years at Barnes’s annual Food Fair, their cocktail tent has been a huge success.
“I really wanted to showcase how you can enjoy tea in a fun and different way,” Marianna explains.
And this is no novel-tea (sorry…) offering, oh no. Pekoe’s cocktails are made from high-quality tea and coffee and use many homemade, locally sourced ingredients. Take the Rose 75, for example – a delicious concoction of rosebud tea-infused gin, Pekoe’s homemade rose syrup, fresh lemon juice and local wine merchant Lea & Sandeman’s house Prosecco. Espresso Martinis are made using Pekoe’s house coffee, whilst their mojito contains green tea.
“I think my favourite is our Earl Grey Gin Sling – it’s a long cocktail made with our Earl Grey-infused gin, apple juice and fresh bergamot juice, which we also make in house,” Marianna beams.
As well as shaking her stuff behind the bar, this year Marianna will also be hosting a special tea cocktail masterclass at the Fair, where you can learn more about tea and have a go at making some tasty tea cocktails yourself.
“I’ve chosen recipes that aren’t overly complicated and that you can easily find the ingredients for,” she explains.
“And the best bit is you get to drink whatever you make!”
Barnes Food Fair is on Sept 14 (entry £5 advance, £7 on the door). Orange Pekoe’s tea cocktail masterclass is at 10.30am and costs £10 (plus entry ticket). Tickets available at barnes-ca.org/tickets. Orange Pekoe, 3 White Hart Lane, Barnes SW13 0PX; orangepekoeteas.com
