One of London's most venerable hotels is blowing the dust off the staid image of Britain's favorite beverage as the Waldorf Hilton employs a tea sommelier to inspire and educate a new generation eager for afternoon tea in London. The Waldorf became a favored venue for stylish celebrations when the hotel opened in 1908 on…
The term elevenses came about during the height of the Industrial Revolution and was in use by 1887 as tearooms blossomed in every city and village from Glasgow to Penzance.
Indeed, Carson was well-schooled in the myriad duties entrusted to his care at Downton Abbey. If a question of protocol did arise, he surely had the butler's bible of the day sitting on his desk. Published in London in 1823, The Footman's Directory and Butler's Remembrancer contained the answers to every bit of etiquette minutiae…