During my time at The Dorchester in London, I had the privilege of being involved in serving what was, and remains, one of the finest afternoon teas in the world. It taught me that afternoon tea is not simply about pouring hot water over tea leaves. It is a carefully considered experience in which preparation, timing, presentation and service must work together perfectly. Everything begins with the equipment. A good teapot should retain heat, pour cleanly and feel balanced in

The world has lost a great ambassador for our industry: a giant of a man who was gentle, kind and generous, with a wonderful sense of fun and a remarkable insight into the hospitality profession. I had the privilege of knowing Stephen personally for twenty-five years and of working alongside him at Global Search International for the past sixteen. We shared so much laughter and enjoyment as we helped candidates and clients discover one another, building relationships and chan