Tiered Cake Plates

In recent times the English high tea party has made a comeback and along with it, the accoutrements such an event requires. Part of the old fashioned charm and fun of tea parties is the formality of the ritual and the beauty of the table setting - whether it's in the garden, the living or dining room or elsewhere, drinking out of beautiful china cups and eating from ornate plates with a cake fork is an integral aspect of the event.

In the parlours and tea rooms of old, a servant or waitress would often serve a selection of cakes to the patrons from a tiered cake stand. It was a visually enticing way to display the delicious offerings and also saved room on the table as the food could be stacked vertically.

You can pay as little or as much as you want for a cake stand but as with most things, you get what you pay for and in the world of cake stands, quality doesn't come cheap.

Royal Albert is one of those names that is synonymous with classic fine English bone china and they have been making crockery since the late 19th century.

"Old Country Roses", featured on the fine bone china cake stand at right, was designed by Harold Holdcroft in1962 and is the signature pattern of Royal Albert. The delicate roses evoke old English charm and the beauty of nature - perfect for the romantic.

Each plate on the stand is edged with 22 carat gold, making it a very swish high tea piece indeed.

For an ultra-modern take on an old theme, Wilton offers the multi-tiered Party stand (see below) for sumptuous, contemporary entertaining, the metal four tiered cake stand (at right) and the four tiered cupcake and desert tower, which looks great when loaded with a stack of colourful cakes.

All of these can be used for everyday use as well as e vents. The desert tower holds up to 36 cup cakes and among other uses, would be ideal for s kids party.

Whether you go traditional for a high tea party,or modern for general entertaining, the tiered cake stand is a great addition to the serving paraphernalia of the home entertainer.