Luxury hotel brand celebrates cookbook with showcasing of signature cakes, scones and sandwiches
Hong Kong : The Langham Hotels and Resorts (“The Langham”) will this April introduce themed Afternoon Tea sets at select hotels worldwide to mark the publication of The Langham Afternoon Tea Book, which for the first time reveals the recipes behind the brand’s most beloved sweet and savoury creations. The initiative will feature various items from the book in a move designed to both delight and inspire guests globally.
“Afternoon Tea has been an integral part of The Langham’s offering since our London flagship opened its doors in 1865, becoming the first Grand Hotel to present the experience to the public,” Langham Hospitality Group CEO Bob van den Oord said. “That same spirit guided the creation of The Langham Afternoon Tea Book and now informs this global tribute, which brings selections from the book to life in our hotels and invites guests to share in a tradition that has defined our namesake for generations.”
The Langham Afternoon Tea Book
Published in February 2026 by White Lion Publishing, The Langham Afternoon Tea Book offers readers the chance to bring many of the creations that have become synonymous with The Langham’s signature offering into their homes. The beautifully illustrated volume celebrates the elegant art of Afternoon Tea, presenting recipes that range from classic cucumber sandwiches and freshly baked scones to refined patisserie creations.
With a foreword by Michel Roux Jr., the book also includes tea-pairing guidance and a section dedicated to patisserie fundamentals, allowing readers to master the techniques behind one of The Langham’s most enduring culinary traditions.
A celebration of taste and tradition
To mark the book’s publication, a selection of Langham hotels around the world will introduce themed Afternoon Tea sets inspired by its recipes. Each participating property’s set will include one or more featured items, served alongside additional varieties of cakes, scones and sandwiches.
Participating hotels include:
- The Langham, Hong Kong
- The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi
- The Langham, Shenzhen
- The Langham, Jakarta
- The Langham, Melbourne
- The Langham, Gold Coast
- The Langham, Chicago
- The Langham, Pasadena
- The Langham, London
Origins of Afternoon Tea
The custom of Afternoon Tea is widely associated with Anna Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, who is often credited with introducing the mid-afternoon ritual of tea accompanied by sandwiches, cakes and scones to bridge the long hours between luncheon and dinner. What began as a private refreshment among Britain’s aristocracy, however, soon evolved into a cherished social occasion.
When The Langham, London opened its doors in 1865 as Europe’s first Grand Hotel, it helped bring the tradition beyond aristocratic drawing rooms and into the grand public spaces of luxury hotels. Served in the hotel’s Palm Court restaurant, Afternoon Tea quickly became a defining feature of the property and a gathering place for London society.
More than 160 years later, the ritual remains closely associated with The Langham and continues to be enjoyed by guests around the world.
