Guy Tea replaces High Tea as new Melbourne trend

REFINED cucumber sandwiches have been replaced by chunky chips in a new trend seeing the traditional high tea being replaced by the Guy Tea.

Geoff Machirus, Carlo Cosner and Shane Eddison tuck into their Guy Tea at The Stables at Como. Picture: Tony Gough

REFINED cucumber sandwiches have been replaced by chunky chips in a new trend seeing the traditional high tea being replaced by the Guy Tea.

The Stables of Como manager Beth Collins said the addition of a Guy Tea to her functions menu was driven by men not wanting to be left out of Melbourne’s love for high-tea parties.

“Our customer base used to be predominantly women but we noticed more men were attending our functions so we thought we should cater to their needs as well,” Ms Collins said.

“The high tea is one of our bestsellers so we wanted to create something fun and exciting for men. It was a way to stop them from feeling excluded from that sort of dining.”

With a spread like this, it’s no wonder the Guy Tea is one of The Stables’ bestsellers. Picture: Tony Gough

The Guy Tea was driven by men not wanting to be left out of Melbourne’s love for high-tea parties. Picture: Tony Gough

Geoff Machirus, Carlo Cosner and Shane Eddison love a good Guy Tea party. Picture: Tony Gough

The Guy Tea menu features substantial delights such as twice-cooked chunky chips, gourmet burgers, mini chicken pies, mini barbecue pork sliders, mini red velvet lamingtons and mini Belgian chocolate brownies.

It is all accompanied by two hours of free flowing Peroni beer, rather than the prosecco that is popular at more delicate high tea functions.

At a cost of $75 a person, the Guy Tea still includes scones, jam and cream in a nod to the high tea.

“The Guy Tea is also popular with some of our female customers who are wanting something a bit more substantial than the high tea, or many do half high tea and half Guy Tea,” Ms Collins said.