Will Mum enjoy making her own raw high tea treats at Yardmill this Mother's Day?
Will Mum enjoy making her own raw high tea treats at Yardmill this Mother's Day? Photo: Kristin Wursthorn

Jane Holroyd

It looks like a traditional high tea – scrumptious cakes aplenty – but will Mum be pleased?

A workshop taking place in Toorak this Sunday may not be quite what every mum has in mind for a Mother's Day treat. Not only will Mum have to prepare her own food, but the tasty-looking carrot cakes and chocolate mousse she whips up in class will in fact be sugar and dairy-free, and 100 per cent raw.

High tea at Brunswick's By Josephine for Mother's Day.
High tea at Brunswick's By Josephine for Mother's Day. Photo: Supplied

Yardmill Kitchen and Grocery owner Tracey Sisson says she decided to run a raw cooking class on Mother's Day because of the success of the cafe's weekly raw high tea events.

"It's quite unique," Sisson said. "Prior to us no one was running raw high teas in Victoria and the response has been quite amazing." She said interest in raw food seemed to be coming from people beyond those with food allergies. "We've had an older clientele coming in who have been willing to give it a try."

Savoury snacks at Yardmill's regular high tea events include a twist on the traditional finger sandwich: raw bread with shaved cucumber, olive tapenade and tomato. To drink? Wash back the goodies with "alkaline Aquafresh with cucumber, lemon and mint".

Bursaria is running two high teas, at the Abbotsford Convent and Werribee Park.
Bursaria is running two high teas, at the Abbotsford Convent and Werribee Park. Photo: Supplied

​Those with health-conscious mums better get in quick though as only 10 places are available at the workshop ($115, includes take home goodies).

Mother's Day workshop, Sunday, May 8, Yardmill, 434 Toorak Road, bookings via yardmill.com.au.

Not into raw food? More high tea offerings around Melbourne

High tea and cocktails at Nieuw Amsterdam

The team at Nieuw Amsterdam will present a Mother's Day high tea ($50) including scones, tarts, sandwiches and quiches, plus a cocktail on arrival. If you'd like to up the ante, there's also a blood orange liqueur-based cocktail to go with each high tea tier (optional extra $25).
106-112 Hardware Street, CBD, bookings via bookings@nieuwamsterdam.com.au

Bursaria (two events in Abbotsford and Werribee)

Think bubbles, boutique teas and tiers of high tea treats held in the historic venues of the Refectory (Werribee Park) and the Abbotsford Covent. Guests will receive a glass of Paul Louis sparkling wine on arrival, followed by hot and cold canapes and sweets, homemade lemonade, boutique Deitea teas and cocktails, accompanied by live acoustic music ($75 per person, children under 3 free).
Bookings via bursaria.com.au

By Josephine

Brunswick's macaron specialist By Josephine is expanding on its usual high tea offering by providing mothers with a take-home hamper (included in the price, $52 per person).
Multiple sessions Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8.
365 Sydney Road, Brunswick, bookings 9380 8048

Beyond high tea

Cakes and Ale in Sorrento is doing a three-course set menu ($70) for Mother's Day, with a choice of five dishes per course, perhaps twice-baked local blue cheese souffle, slow-cooked organic lamb, and strawberry fool.
102 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento, cakes-and-ale.com.au

Supernormal in the city will offer a banquet ($65) for Mother's Day from 11am-11pm. The menu meanders from pickles to white-cut chicken, then on to lobster rolls, dumplings and Sichuan-style lamb, finishing in classic Supernormal fashion with the famed peanut butter parfait. A la carte menu also available.
180 Flinders Lane, CBD, supernormal.net.au

Marion Wine Bar will be taking reservations for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For breakfast (8am-10.30am), indulge in baked eggs with greens, labna and Turkish chilli, or house-made yoghurt and lavender cakes as you toast Mum over a mimosa. Chef's menu ($65) and a la carte menus available at lunch and dinner (noon-9.30pm).
53 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, bookings 03 9419 6262 or info@marionwine.com.au.

Eureka 89 in Southbank will offer a special lunch menu (adults $145; children 13-17 years $105; children up to 12 years $55) beginning with an entree of seared scallops, pickled mushroom, petite radish and cauliflower, followed by Rangers Valley strip loin, onion soubise, charred radicchio and bone marrow jus. For dessert the sky-high restaurant will offer chocolate berry eclair, milk chocolate and vanilla ice-cream, and petit fours to conclude.
Level 89, Eureka Tower, Riverside Quay, Southbank, 12:30pm-3pm, bookings 03 9693 8889.