“Oh wow – are you going to Adam Handling Chelsea? I am so jealous!” The lady at the reception at Maggie and Rose Nursery looked at me with big eyes, when I came in with my little Clara all dressed up and ready to go. “Yes, I am! Do you know it? It is my first time visiting!.” She knew it, as she used to work in the Knightsbridge area, and it was clear, that I was in for a treat! “You will for sure have an amazing time. Enjoy!”, she said… And she was right! Sometimes, you just can’t find the right words for something really outstanding – so I will say this! If you are going in to Tier 3 the day after, you should do it in style – and that is what Frenchie and I did at Adam Handling Chelsea at the Belmond Cadogan

Feeling festive? If not, this is the place to go to get in a Christmassy mode! Welcome to the chic and iconic Belmond Cadogan, where you will also find Adam Handling Chelsea

Adam Handling Chelsea is an elegant dining space serving contemporary British cuisine in the heart of Chelsea. Here, you can also experience one of the best Afternoon Teas in London served in the bar or at Cadogan’s

Did you know that… “Afternoon Tea at Cadogan’s” actually was awarded “Winner of best contemporary Afternoon Tea” by The Afternoon Tea Awards 2019. Having experienced the beautiful, festive pink-themed afternoon tea now (a collaboration with Prosecco DOC Rosé from leading wine-makers Villa Sandi), I can only say, that I understand, why they won! The food, the service, the presentation… everything just comes together in sweet harmony. More about this later…

If walls could talk, the ones at the Belmond Cadogan would have some captivating stories to tell. This stunning place has long been a playground for socialites and bohemians like Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde and actress and royal mistress Lillie Langtry. Today Belmond Cadogan celebrates its past and heritage while offering modern, understated luxury. From the world-class restaurants and tranquil garden to quirky design details and in-room libraries, this is London living perfected, and I loved every minute of my visit

This new-old elegance on a quiet corner between Knightsbridge and the King’s Road was just where I wanted to be… I felt, that I fitted right in here. Not too crowded, not to “Made in Chelsea”… Words like “sophistication” and “intimate” comes to my mind! I could definitely see myself sitting here by the fireplace drinking a cocktail and reading poetry (by Oscar Wilde perhaps?)

The Christmas tree of dreams… A collaboration with Harvey Nichols and Belmond Cadogan! (Did you notice that little Dior present under the tree to the left?) I am pretty sure that one is for me! 

Meet Oscar the stunning Swarovski-encrusted peacock (25,854 pieces to be exact!) Seems like a fitting name, if you ask me!

Room 101… The Royal Suite! This is the hotel’s largest suite (115m2)  featuring hardwood flooring, a private terrace, a fireplace, a separate sitting area and views of Cadogan Park Gardens. (I absolutely love the glorious marble bathroom with a gracious tub)

Bonus-info: This suite also includes room nr 118, where Oscar Wilde was famously arrested 6th April 1895 (It was said that he was drinking a bottle of Laurent Perrier, when the police entered his room) As decadent as it gets!

(Oscar Wilde was charged with gross indecency and, at a time when homosexuality was illegal, he was sentenced to two years’ hard labour. The prison regime was brutal and, although he was released in 1897, he died three years later in exile in France)

A sneak peek at the gorgeous kitchen! Love how clean it all is!

So who is Adam Handling? Adam Handling’s culinary journey started at Gleneagles where he was first ever trainee chef, before he went on to become Fairmont’s youngest ever Head Chef, culminating in winning Scottish Young Chef of the Year 2011. Adam has since been awarded an Acorn Award, Scottish Chef of the Year 2015, Newcomer Restaurant of the Year in the Food and Travel Reader Awards 2015, as well as the British Culinary Federation’s Chef of the Year 2014.Adam opened his first independent restaurant in June 2016 in Shoreditch and is now the owner of several award winning restaurants in London. I would personally love to dine at Condé Nast favourite  “Frog – by Adam Handling! in 2021

Back at the bar! It was time to eat – and I was hungry! (which was good, as we had a lot of food – and it was amazing!)

As beautiful as it gets! A little book where you will find the wine, tea and food menu card with pretty illustrations 

At first we enjoyed a glass of Adam Handlings own label sparkling wine from West Sussex …

 – which arrived with the most delicious little cheesy donuts! I could have eaten ten of these! (But luckily I didn’t as we were spoiled with so many delicious treats)

This was a special moment…

The first shipment of Prosecco DOC Rosé from leading wine-makers Villa Sandi was served with our specially created pink afternoon festive tea created by the pastry team at Adam Handling Chelsea (headed by Pastry Chef Chris Underwood)

Bonus-info: Villa Sandi is a leading winery in the Prosecco DOC and DOCG regions. The owner, Giancarlo Moretti Polegato was the first to propose a Prosecco Rosé when the DOC was created in 2009. Villa Sandi Prosecco DOC Rosé is made with 85% Glera, the grape variety Prosecco is made with, and 15% Pinot Nero. The winery has been making classic method wines using Pinot Nero for four decades and is uniquely positioned as one of the appellation’s leading Pinot Nero growers. The new appellation regulations require that the wines be made with Pinot Nero that has been grown within the DOC “Prosecco is the best-selling sparkling wine in the UK, and there’s been so much excitement around the introduction of the Rosé version. We’re really happy to be able to be the first to offer a special Afternoon Tea full of festive flavours, and to serve it with a delicious wine which is so much fun, and livens up the whole table,” says Adam Handling. We absolutely loved it –  and knowing that is currently only available at Cadogan’s by Adam Handling, and in the bar at Adam Handling Chelsea makes it even more special

Pure perfection! If this doesn’t get you in a festive mood, then you must be Ebenezer Scrooge 

To mention just a few Pink savouries: Dill-cured smoked salmon with cream cheese, red onion and stilton tartlet, vegetarian stuffing sandwich with red cabbage and cranberry on tomato bread. The Sweetly pink specialities included a pink parcel with blackcurrant mousse and vanilla brulée, and my favourite – a stunning Christmas bauble with coconut cream and passionfruit curd. In the bread basket we enjoyed festive panettone and stollen

Beautiful Blackcurrant mousse, vanilla custard and lemon…

While Frenchie went for Espresso, I had the Milk Oolong Tea – a pale yellow/green cup with a floral, balanced taste. It was sweet and smooth with a comforting aroma of cream and caramel! Delicious with freshly baked scones served with seasonal jam and Rodda’s brandy clotted cream

Life is good here at Adam Handling Chelsea!

Probably the most beautiful “left-over” cake box, I have ever seen! This is a very elegant and luxurious way to say thank you for visiting!

The lady at the reception in my daughter’s nursery was right! It was a spectacular experience having Afternoon Tea at Adam Handling Chelsea at the gorgeous Belmond Cadogan. I would like to thank the amazing staff for treating us like royalty, Villa Sandi and Chef Chris Underwood and his pastry team for spoiling us rotten with delicious food and drinks. This is certainly not the last time we will be visiting!

We were invited as guests at Adam Handling Chelsea. All opinions are as always my own