An Interview with ourHead Chef
An Interview with The Carlyon Bay Hotel's Head Chef - Simon Brown
Simon Brown has honed his culinary skills at Brend Collection for nearly 35 years. After training at Camborne College, he advanced his career at The Devon Hotel before transitioning to The Carlyon Bay Hotel, where he now serves as Head Chef.
An Afternoon tea is a cherished tradition in Britain, and at The Carlyon Bay Hotel, we elevate this experience under Simon's expert guidance. Our offerings go beyond tea and scones to provide a complete package of indulgence and satisfaction, ensuring you'll leave feeling thoroughly content and delighted.
Q&A with Head Chef Simon Brown
What inspires your approach to designing the afternoon tea menu at Carlyon Bay Hotel?
We draw inspiration from local Cornish produce and seasonal ingredients to create a menu that reflects both tradition and innovation.
What do you hope guests take away from their afternoon tea experience at Carlyon Bay Hotel?
We aim for guests to leave feeling relaxed, indulged, and with a deeper appreciation for the tradition of afternoon tea.
How do you see the tradition of afternoon tea evolving in the future?
In the future, I see afternoon tea continuing to honour its traditions while evolving to stay relevant as a cherished pastime. This may include incorporating modern twists on classic dishes or exploring new tea varieties.
How important is presentation when serving afternoon tea?
Presentation is everything; We purposefully position the cakes in the middle tier of the stand to highlight their diverse selection and vibrant colours, enhancing the visual appeal of our afternoon tea and have recently upgraded our china to enhance the experience.
What’s the difference between Afternoon Tea and Cream Tea?
At The Carlyon Bay Hotel, Cream Tea features scones with jam (always first!) followed by cream, served with tea or coffee. Our Afternoon Tea elevates with a tiered selection: sandwiches at the bottom, cakes in the middle, and scones on top.
What is the secret to the perfect scone?
The secret to a perfect scone lies in achieving the right balance of ingredients and technique. Start by using chilled butter at the right temperature when mixing with flour. Avoid over-mixing the dough to keep it from becoming too tough, which can prevent it from rising properly. Also, make sure to bake at the correct temperature. When everything comes together just right, you get a fantastic scone - just don’t forget to put the jam on first!
What’s the most satisfying part of the job?
The most fulfilling aspect of my job is receiving outstanding customer feedback. Knowing that our guests leave satisfied makes all our efforts worthwhile.
What makes The Carlyon Bay Hotel's Afternoon Tea stand out from the rest?
Sell an Afternoon Tea Experience at The Carlyon Bay Hotel
Our cosy lounge offers a perfect setting to unwind and enjoy the coastal views while savouring each bite. Indulge in a delightful selection of finger sandwiches featuring locally sourced ingredients, warm scones with clotted cream and homemade preserves, and an array of exquisite homemade cakes and pastries. Pair your treats with one of our fine Cornish loose-leaf teas or freshly brewed coffees, meticulously chosen to enhance your tasting experience.
Book an Afternoon Tea
Experience the delight of our afternoon teas daily from 2pm to 6pm. To book call us on 01726 812304 (option 2) or book online.
