Afternoon Tea Week 2026 – making every bite count
By Tess Warnes, Registered Dietitian & Head of Nutrition and Sustainability, and Jamie Clews, Development Manager and former Chef
Overview
Afternoon Tea Week 2026 provides care homes with the perfect opportunity to celebrate one of Britain’s most cherished food traditions. However, beyond the elegant presentation and familiar favourites, afternoon tea can play an important role in supporting resident wellbeing, social engagement, and nutritional intake.
For many older adults, particularly those at risk of malnutrition, every eating occasion matters. Afternoon tea offers an additional opportunity to provide nutrient-dense foods and fluids in an enjoyable, social setting that encourages residents to eat, drink, reminisce and connect with others.
Importantly, it is also an occasion that should be accessible to everyone, including residents requiring texture-modified diets.
More than just a treat
In care settings, afternoon tea can be much more than a mid-afternoon treat.
Many residents have smaller appetites, tire easily at mealtimes, or struggle to consume enough energy and protein through three meals alone. Well-planned snacks and lighter meals can help bridge nutritional gaps while creating positive eating experiences.
The familiar flavours associated with afternoon tea often evoke memories and conversation, helping to stimulate appetite and support emotional wellbeing. Whether it’s discussing family baking traditions, favourite cake recipes, or special occasions from years gone by, food has a unique ability to connect people.
Here’s a delicious and nutritious recipe from Tess, based on her grandmother’s rock cakes…
Rock cakes with a little extra!
Makes 12–14 rock cakes
Ingredients:
- 225 g self-raising flour
- 50 g fine oats (blended slightly if preferred)
- 50 g ground almonds (adds protein, vitamin E, healthy fats)
- 75 g butter, softened
- 50 g dried apricots, finely chopped
- 50 g raisins or sultanas
- 30 g chopped walnuts (optional, omit if chewing is difficult)
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed (omega-3 fats and fibre)
- 2 tbsp skimmed milk powder (boosts protein and calcium)
- 1 medium egg
- 75 ml whole milk
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp mixed spice or cinnamon
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- Pinch of salt
Method:
- Heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
- Line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Mix flour, oats, ground almonds, milk powder, flaxseed, spice, and salt.
- Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Stir in dried fruit and walnuts.
- Beat together egg, milk, and honey.
- Add to the dry ingredients and mix lightly. The mixture should be fairly stiff but moist.
- Drop rough spoonfuls onto the tray, leaving space between them.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden.
- Cool slightly before serving.
“Rock cakes always take me back to the many happy weeks I spent with my nanny. She loved to spoil us with homemade treats, and one of my favourites was her freshly baked rock cakes. I’ve adapted her traditional recipe to include extra fibre and nutrient-rich ingredients while keeping the comforting flavour and texture that made them so special.
These delicious rock cakes are enriched with oats, almonds, flaxseed and milk powder, providing more protein, fibre, calcium and healthy fats than a traditional recipe. Packed with dried fruit and wholesome ingredients, they offer a nourishing twist on a classic teatime treat, making them a tasty way to support good nutrition while enjoying a much-loved bake.”
Tess Warnes, Registered Dietitian & Head of Nutrition and Sustainability
Building a nutrient dense afternoon tea
Traditional afternoon tea favourites can be adapted to provide significantly more nutritional value without losing their appeal. Tess offers suggestions to boost nutrition…
Finger sandwiches remain a classic choice but can be enhanced by incorporating protein-rich fillings such as:
- Egg mayonnaise (one egg has 6g protein and 75kcal)
- Salmon and cream cheese
- Coronation chicken
- Cheese and pickle
- Hummus and soft roasted vegetables
Using enriched breads or adding full-fat cream cheese or mayonnaise can further increase energy content for residents with higher nutritional needs.
Scones are often the star of afternoon tea. Consider:
- Cheese scones alongside traditional fruit varieties
- Adding skimmed milk powder to recipes to increase protein content
- Serving with clotted cream, mascarpone or fortified whipped cream
- Offering fruit compote alongside jam for additional flavour and variety
Small cakes and traybakes can also provide energy while contributing protein and micronutrients. Examples include:
- Carrot cake made with added nuts and cream cheese frosting
- Banana loaf enriched with nut butter
- Lemon drizzle cake served with Greek yoghurt
- Mini cheesecakes made with full-fat soft cheese
- Chocolate cake with ground almonds and peanut butter
- Raisin cookies with added chia seeds
Don't forget hydration
Afternoon tea naturally encourages fluid intake. Alongside tea and coffee, consider offering:
- Fortified milk-based drinks
- Fruit smoothies
- Milkshakes
- Flavoured milky coffees
- Fruit-infused waters
Hydration remains a key consideration in older adults and social drinking occasions can help encourage better fluid consumption.
Ensuring everyone can take part
One of the most important considerations when planning Afternoon Tea Week 2026 activities is inclusivity.
Many care home residents live with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) and require texture-modified foods and thickened fluids. Historically, these residents may have missed out on traditional dining experiences because foods could not be safely adapted.
Want to serve a traditional lemon meringue pie but don’t know how to make it IDDSI-compliant?
Jamie Clews has the answer…
Lemon meringue pie
Makes 12 individual pies
Lemon filling: Either make the traditional lemon curd or use premade lemon or lime curd, to add a twist. Ensure it meets IDDSI Level 4 requirements.
Meringue topping: Use Meri white and the required water to achieve IDDSI level 4; follow the guidelines on pack.
Biscuit base: Digestive biscuits blended with warm tea to achieve the correct level 4 IDDSI texture.
Method: Assemble the desserts as close to the required time as possible to reduce any issue with the texture changing while chilling. Use clear shot cups or glasses so the guests can see the different ingredients. Make sure you don’t toast the top of the meringue as you would naturally, as this will change the texture beyond IDDSI LEVEL 4.
“These lemon meringue pies can now be served to all residents between IDDSI level 4 and 7 promoting a high level of dignity for everyone involved.”
Digestive biscuits and tea
“During an afternoon tea we would naturally dip our biscuits in our cup of tea, while no one is looking. So why don’t you focus on the flavour of biscuits and tea?”
Jamie continues, “Simply blend the digestive biscuits with warm tea to get the desired texture. Be careful to let it rest for a while as the mix can continue thickening, so you may have to add more tea. Also stay away from using biscuits with nuts or dried fruit. To present I would pipe the mixture into a clear cup, or onto a small colourful plate to form a disc. If your guest is also on a thickened liquid, this will allow them to taste tea without the side effects of the thickened mix, which increases the taste of the tannins.
Chocolate and orange cookies
Jamie suggests that “If you blend chocolate cake you will find it’s extremely rich. A similar issue happens when you thicken orange juice; it goes bitter. By simply using the orange juice to blend the chocolate cake will allow them to work together, giving you an amazing chocolate and orange mixture at the correct, more palatable texture.”
Presentation still matters
We eat with our eyes first. This is particularly important when preparing texture-modified meals. Attractive presentation can improve acceptance, stimulate appetite and enhance the overall dining experience.
Simple touches such as traditional tiered cake stands, vintage bone china, and fresh flowers can help create a sense of occasion regardless of dietary requirements. When every resident receives a thoughtfully presented afternoon tea, it reinforces dignity, inclusion and person centred care.
A celebration of food, nutrition and community
At its heart, Afternoon Tea Week 2026 is about bringing people together. For care homes, it provides an opportunity to combine enjoyment with good nutrition, support hydration, encourage social interaction and create meaningful moments for residents.
By focusing on nutrient-dense recipes and ensuring inclusive options for those requiring texture-modified diets, care teams can make Afternoon Tea Week 2026 a celebration that every resident can safely enjoy.
Because the best afternoon tea isn’t simply about what’s on the cake stand – it’s about making sure everyone has a seat at the table.
If you would like support with menu development, nutrition and dietetic advice, or creating inclusive dining experiences within your care setting, the allmanhall team are here to help.