When I was invited to the launch of the Phantom of the Opera afternoon tea at Sofitel Hotel I knew I had to attend- combining musical theatre and food (along with champagne) is a huge way to my heart so I went with high expectations and an empty stomach!

Let me start by describing the concept – it is an afternoon tea in 3 acts designed by pastry chef Lerrick Coelho! The first act is where the auction begins with the sandwich’s inspired by the Phantom’s realm. Act 2 takes us beneath the Opera House and arrives on a vessel so intrinsically linked to Phantom that even non musical theatre fans will recognise it. Finally the sweet course arrives in Act 3, presented as the masquerade ball.

Examples from each course include Cornish Crab tartlet with Shropshire Blue, brown crab custard and roasted chicken with a tarragon emulsion on brioche feuilletée as some of the Act 1 delights, Act 2 is a vanilla and rose mousse with raspberry confit accompanied by a stunning dark chocolate painted mask and Act 3 includes a granny Smith apple, spiced caramel and vanilla mousse tart and cherry and mascarpone roll on a lemon sable along with plain and cranberry scones served with rose lounge signature strawberry and rose jam and Cornish clotted cream. Having had a chance to sample much of the menu I can confirm that it is as delicious as it sounds and presented beautifully. The menu is £80 which includes a glass of Laurent-Perrier Brut or a Red Rose cocktail and there is a children’s menu for £40. It is available daily from 12:30 – 17:30 so could easily be paired with going to see the show itself in the evening.

The Sofitel is also perfectly placed to host this afternoon tea in their Roses Lounge. The hotel is a French one which instantly conjours up the Paris Opera house where the show is set and the fact that it is meters away from His Majesties Theatre means it could not be better situated.

It is easy to tell that the Sofitel have worked closely with the Phantom of the Opera team and in speaking to Coelho he told me about how much he loved the show and how he was able to see it several times to take inspiration from it. This was evident from all of the detail – from the food itself through to how it was displayed.

After attending the launch for this afternoon tea I am already planning my return with others who are fans of the Phantom of the Opera, to experience the angel of music….sorry food that is the afternoon tea!

To find out more about the afternoon tea visit the hotel’s website here.

If you like this review you might also like my review of The Rooms Where It Happens, Brunch at The Musicals and Gianni Versace Retrospective.