I’m Gillian Perry, and since I was a young girl I have loved afternoon tea. Probably just like you!
I am now lucky enough to be invited to give talks about the social history, culture and etiquette surrounding tea drinking and afternoon tea.
I am based in London, UK, but have given talks all over the UK, as well as in the USA and Canada, and on cruise ships around the world. My talks are usually in person, but can also be given remotely via Zoom. Take a look here at some of the wonderful places I have been to!
I have been in the field of education most of my professional career, and in 2010 received an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for services to education from Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II, which was presented to me at Buckingham Palace by Charles, Prince of Wales, now King Charles III.
I am continually told that my speaking style is warm and engaging and that my talks are fun, filled with fascinating and surprising facts about how we came to enjoy drinking and eating tea.
In 2022, due to many requests, my first book on the topic was published. If you are looking for a perfect gift for yourself, or someone else, take a look here.
I would love you to share your thoughts, memories and queries with me and other afternoon tea fans here!
Places I’ve previously spoken at include…
See below for a special quote and interesting fact which will change each month, so don’t be shy about making suggestions and you will be credited for your contribution!
Quote of the month
“Teatime is a chance to slow down, pull back, and appreciate our surroundings.”
Letitia Baldridge
American etiquette expert and
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s social secretary
Fact of the month
‘Oolong’, the flavourful Chinese tea, translates as Black Dragon, and comes in green and black varieties!
The legend goes that one day a Chinese tea farmer believed he saw a black dragon approaching his field from a distance. Not wishing to tempt fate, the farmer fled, leaving his tea leaves to oxidise in the field. The oxidisation process left his leaves with a wonderful taste and thus one of the most enjoyed teas in the world was born.
A social history of English afternoon tea
In 2022, my first book on the topic of afternoon tea was published by Carnegie Publishing, under their Palatine Books imprint. The book came about due to requests from my speaking audiences at my talks, who told me I had to publish a book about this fascinating topic!.