Three-Tiered Server

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A three-tiered server is a treasured Afternoon Tea accessory. It is a set of three plates attached together horizontally either by a central rod running through all three plates or by an external frame. It is used to offer food to the guests in an attractive, space saving and orderly presentation. In a traditional Afternoon Tea service the sweets are usually presented on the top tier, the scones are placed on the middle tier and the sandwiches and other savory items are placed on the bottom tier. Thus the guests can literally eat their way upward from the savory course to the scones and finally to the sweets on the top. The three-tiered server is usually placed either in the middle of the tea table, surrounded by jam pots, butter dishes and other smaller serving dishes or on the top level of a tea cart placed next to the tea table. Three tiered servers are used in some of the most famous and elegant tearooms, but they also make a stunning statement at a home hosted Afternoon Tea. Most three- tiered servers are made of fine china and are beautifully decorated, but some are pure white. Two-tiered servers, usually with a larger plate on the bottom and a medium sized plate above it, are also very attractive and are especially charming for serving a variety of items for the dessert course.