An afternoon of literary and culinary indulgence that will have you licking your fingers “with that absorbed inward look that only comes from whipped cream.” (Katherine Mansfield, ‘The Garden Party’)

Beginning with a guided tour of Katherine Mansfield House & Garden on Tinakori Road, you'll enter the home of a fashionable Victorian family and learn about the little girl who lived in the house and grew up to be an internationally renowned Modernist writer. You'll then stroll down to the Canapé Company on Thorndon Quay to enjoy a cup of tea and an introduction to the food that appears in Katherine Mansfield’s stories. Copies of three stories will be sent out in advance for those who want to make the most of the opportunity to dive into Mansfield’s work before immersing themselves in making (and eating) some of the food she describes.

You'll then head into the kitchen for a Savour Cooking School class with Cordon Bleu-trained patisserie chef Max Loh, who has expertise in viennoiserie and has worked in some of Wellington's best restaurants. Max will teach you how to make the perfect choux pastry and its many forms including: chocolate profiteroles, éclairs filled with lavender-infused cream and cheese gougères. Katherine Mansfield spent time living in France and many of her stories have a French flavour.

The afternoon will end with a Mansfield-inspired tea party in the Canapé Company dining room complete with vintage china. Along with your creations, there will be dainty sandwiches, scones, and honey almond cake to enjoy.