Enjoy delightful Vegan High Tea

HIGH Tea in Cape Town is keeping abreast with food trends and offering vegans something truly indulgent.

Head pastry chef at the 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa Gina Marziani has crafted an offering of sweet and savoury delights that lack nothing in flavour and are 100% vegan.

When I first heard of it, I expected a tray of nibbles that would be flavourless and uninspired. I was wrong.

The Vegan High Tea is served at

The Leopard Bar at the 12 Apostles, the perfect setting – I soaked up the sea view as I waited for my nibbles.

The highlights were the coconut pannacotta with a pineapple and passion fruit compote, and the chocolate slice with a hazelnut praline.

All the fruit was complementary.

I started at the top of the tray and paused, looking suspiciously at the scone, which I believed must contain full-cream milk to look that light and fluffy.

“The scones have almond milk and it’s all vegan,” Marziani said.

Similarly, the banana and walnut loaf was sweet and well balanced. I wanted a full portion – and the recipe.

There is chocolate on the menu but Marziani is quick to point out she uses Valrhona Manjari, which is a singleorigin cooking chocolate that doesn’t contain milk.

The chocolate slice with hazelnut praline should be enjoyed last and is one of the items you could serve to a non-vegan – they wouldn’t know the difference.

Marziani says: “I’ve always been very passionate about chocolate and dark chocolate is versatile to use,” which indicates she was never going to serve a high tea with no chocolate.

This menu is the perfect surprise for that special vegan friend in your life who is always complaining (or moaning) about the limited dishes on offer when eating out.

The Vegan High Tea is available daily in the Leopard Bar and Conservatory from 10am to 4pm at R375 a person and 24 hours notice is required for a booking.

● For more info or to book, contact restaurant reservations at 021 437 9029 or restaurants@12apostles.co.za