10 Mar 2014
(London) In celebration of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show 2014, Dorchester Collection’s iconic British hotel, The Dorchester, is partnering with Champagne Laurent-Perrier to launch the Chelsea Flower Show (CFS) Rooftop Afternoon Tea Series with a week of specialist talks, overnight accommodation including exclusive tickets to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and a floral inspired afternoon tea in The Dorchester’s Promenade.
For the first time, this special tea will take place in The Dorchester’s Penthouse and Pavilion which boasts an outdoor terrace with views of the London skyline incorporating Big Ben and the London Eye. The suite was famously designed by Oliver Messel and listed by English Heritage, a testament to their architectural significance and artistic legacy.
The Pavilion terrace will feature a special garden created by The Dorchester’s designer florist Phil Hammond, inspired by award-winning designer Luciano Giubbilei, who has created the 2014 Laurent-Perrier Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. With accents of blue and a backdrop of deep green, the garden on the Pavilion terrace will feature cedar wood, and an elegant colour palette of yellows, cream, lime, and white. Giubbilei’s garden will incorporate his fascination with texture, form and light whilst reflecting the elegance, creativity and pioneering spirit of the 200-year old family-run Champagne House.
The following guest speakers will host specialist talks during the CFS Rooftop Afternoon Tea Series from 19 – 25 May 2014.
Monday -The Hon. Daniel Brennan: Head of Marketing at Champagne Laurent-Perrier will speak about the history and heritage of The House.
Tuesday -Thomas Messel: Nephew of Oliver Messel will speak about the inspirations and life of the renowned theatre designer
Wednesday -Roja Dove: British Master Perfumer and fragrance historian will speak about the power of scent and the limited edition candle inspired by the cedar wood in the 2014 Laurent-Perrier RHS Chelsea Flower Show Garden
Thursday -Mich Turner MBE: Founder of The Little Venice Cake Company will speak about the glittering world of cake design and celebrity events
Friday -Phil Hammond: Designer Florist at The Dorchester will speak about the inspirations behind his renowned floral creations for The Dorchester
Saturday - Wedgewood
Sunday - Wedgewood
Afternoon tea will include tea pastries such as ‘Apricot lavender tart’, ‘Rhubarb and acacia honey financier with rose flower cream,’ and ‘Strawberry, lemon and verbena layered cake.’ These cakes will be served with a selection of finger sandwiches and scones complemented by Grand Siècle by Laurent-Perrier. The prestigious Grand Siècle represents the pinnacle of champagne blending, calling on wines from the finest Grand Cru growths and the very best vintages. The complex characters within the Grand Siècle represent the layering and textures within the 2014 Show Garden. This elegant cuvée has unique depth, finesse, complexity and consistency with a remarkable length of honeyed, nutty flavours.
Priced at £75 per person, the CFS Rooftop Afternoon Tea Series will be available in The Penthouse and Pavilion at The Dorchester during the week of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with two sittings at 2:00pm and 4:30pm and will include a glass of Grand Siècle champagne and a plant from the garden as chosen by Giubbilei on departure representing a flower from the Chelsea Flower Show garden.
Giubbilei has designed a to scale model of the 2014 Laurent-Perrier RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden, allowing guests of The Dorchester to enjoy the layers and textures outside of the show grounds. The model will be situated in The Promenade of The Dorchester for the week of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, complemented by stunning flower arrangements by The Dorchester's designer florist Phil Hammond and inspired by the 2014 Laurent-Perrier garden.
For further information about The CFS Rooftop Afternoon Teas at The Dorchester, or to make a booking, please contact The Dorchester on +44 20 7319 7102 or email reservations.TDL@dorchestercollection.com. Early reservations are strongly encouraged due to limited availability.
Guests wishing to experience the Chelsea Flower Show can enjoy two exclusive tickets for the RHS exclusive members’ only day on Wednesday 21 May when booking ‘Chelsea Flower Show’ accommodation at The Dorchester. The stay also includes a complimentary bottle of Champagne Laurent-Perrier Brut in room on arrival, and a table for two for CFS Afternoon Tea on The Promenade surrounded by floral decorations by designer florist Phil Hammond. Priced from £750, the ‘Chelsea Flower Show’ overnight stay is priced from £750 per room for a Deluxe King room including VAT and is available on the nights of Tuesday 20 May and Wednesday 21 May only. For further information or to make a booking, please contact reservations.uk@dorchestercollection.com or call directly on +44 20 7319 7102.
Notes to editors:
About The Dorchester
The Dorchester is situated in the heart of London’s Mayfair on Park Lane, with 250 rooms and suites designed in a classic English residential style, affording expansive views of Hyde Park. Alexandra Champalimaud redesigned 22 new Dorchester and Park Suites in 2012, fusing contemporary comfort with timeless glamour. A wide range of dining is available to guests in The Promenade, The Bar and The Grill, China Tang and three Michelin star Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. The Dorchester Spa reopened in May 2009 after a multimillion transformation to offer indulgent pampering in a glamorous art deco setting. The Dorchester’s ten banqueting rooms, including The Ballroom which was renovated in September 2011, offer a wide selection for hosting various events, from intimate dinners to cocktail receptions of up to 1,000 guests.
http://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/london/the-dorchester
About The Penthouse and Pavilion
The Penthouse and Pavilion was designed by Oliver Messel in 1956 and commissioned by the Dorchester hotel to complement the already fantastical and comfortable Oliver Messel Suite completed in 1954. The dining room was conceived as a mirrored space, with interlaced oak branches and leaves in blue and gold plasterwork, inspired by his designs from the enchanted forest in Sleeping Beauty. The Pavilion was in Regency inspired scheme, in which he employed Etruscan detailing associated with his designs from the Magic Flute.
About Luciano Guibbilei
Luciano Giubbilei Garden Design aims to create timeless and harmonious spaces. Established in 1997, they are a small, highly selective design and management practice with a thorough understanding of all design fields and their processes. Luciano’s work explores the boundaries between architecture and art, interior and exterior with a pursuit of the continuing tradition of simplicity in design from both a visual and philosophical point of view.
http://www.lucianogiubbilei.com/
About Champagne Laurent-Perrier
Originally founded in 1812, the House of Champagne Laurent-Perrier is recognised as one of the foremost brands in Champagne. Based in the heart of Champagne, in Tours-sur-Marne, this success is the outcome of a deliberate policy to honour traditional values: a respect for nature and wines, a passion for quality, and strong, lasting relationships among the people who drive the company – both inside and outside of The House.
The wines crafted by Laurent-Perrier are unique not only because of the philosophy that has inspired them, but also for their style, flavour and consistent quality, from one cuvée to the next. The result is a range of vins de plaisir – a diversified range of wines to be enjoyed at every occasion, each connected by the lightness, freshness and elegance that distinguishes Laurent-Perrier.
Laurent-Perrier’s success must also be attributed to the energy of the Nonancourt family, headed by Bernard de Nonancourt. Working in a very demanding business environment, Bernard successfully avoided many pitfalls and managed to preserve the independence of his champagne house and its related values. These same principles guide the current management team headed by his two daughters, Stéphanie Meneux de Nonancourt and Alexandra Pereyre de Nonancourt.
For further press information about The Dorchester, please contact:
Olivia Johnson or Calum Donoghue at Peretti Communications
Telephone: 020 7244 1930
Email: olivia.j@peretti.com calum.d@peretti.com
For further information about Champagne Laurent-Perrier or the 2014 Show Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show please contact:
Janelle Moore or Richard Thiardt at Wild Card
Telephone: 020 7257 6470
Email: Janelle.moore@wildcard.co.uk richard.thiardt@wildcard.co.uk
