Beautiful, garden-like gourmet creations in a natural setting. The hotel teams up with the British royal family’s tea of choice to launch a limited-edition afternoon tea.

From December 1 to January 15, 2018, Taipei Sheraton’s Lobby Lounge has collaborated with TWININGS, the British royal family’s favored tea brand, to present the “Artful Tea Garden” themed afternoon tea. This special pairing features two platinum-series TWININGS teas alongside classic Sicilian desserts from Italy, crafting a winter afternoon tea experience infused with artistic charm.

The “Artful Tea Garden” afternoon tea collaboration was co-created by British paper-cutting artist Tim Budden and Taipei Sheraton Executive Pastry Chef Wallace Huang. Drawing inspiration from TWININGS’ brand aesthetic, Tim Budden infused the plate designs with the artistic concept of a natural garden. The base of the plate is adorned with green pineapple scones, creating a lush, grassy landscape. Butterflies are Tim Budden’s primary creative motif, and Executive Pastry Chef Wallace Huang artfully places two chocolate butterflies on the desserts, adding an extra touch of liveliness and leisure.

The star of the plate is the “Cannoli,” the beloved dessert of the Mafia as referenced in *The Godfather*’s iconic line, “Leave the gun, take the cannoli.” Featuring a crispy shell and a rich filling of creamy ricotta cheese, it’s sweet yet not overly heavy. The accompanying TWININGS teas include the uniquely flavored South African heritage tea, “Amber Caramel Rooibos,” and the tangy-sweet “Raspberry Berry Infusion,” allowing guests to enjoy a classic Sicilian treat alongside the esteemed royal tea.

Founded in 1717, TWININGS has been favored by royalty including Queen Victoria, King George V, King Edward VII, and Queen Alexandra. In 1837, it became the first tea to receive Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria herself, who appointed TWININGS to supply tea to the royal household. Since then, TWININGS has served every successive British monarch, making it not only the world’s oldest tea company but also the first to be granted royal certification.