We have a tradition here at UWA Publishing, where we farewell departing staff members with a morning tea on their last day. I’m not talking about your average tea-and-biscuits morning tea, but an extravagant bake-off between staff members that would put a busy Parisian patisserie to shame!

A delicious spread (with salt & vinegar chips)

Over the past year, the morning teas seem to have grown from a modest spread into a gustatory feast that could feed a small army. More recently, the culinary competing has resulted in macarons, cheese and cayenne biscuits, cupcakes, scones, dill and ricotta tartlets, danishes, homemade dips, melting moments, gourmet cheeses, cake…and salt and vinegar chips.

Cinnamon scrolls, raspberry melting moments, and salt & vinegar chips

You’re probably wondering why an office of ten people, busy working on books eight hours a day, five days a week, would put so much effort into a farewell morning tea. Well, the best way that I can explain it is that because we are a small team we inevitably become close to the people we work with, and the ritual farewell morning tea has become our way of expressing our immense gratitude to staff for their dedicated service to the publishing industry.

Cheese, macarons, and cheese and cayenne biscuits

Undoubtedly, there is also great satisfaction that comes from channeling one’s passion for producing wonderful books into creating delicious food to share with delightful company.

‘Black, white and a little bit 'o’ red cupcakes', and salt & vinegar chips

So next time you’re after some foodie inspiration, ask your editor for some tips as to the best thing to cook while one is busy proofreading manuscripts!

Anne’s Danish (salt & vinegar chips not pictured)

Britt

Publishing Intern

Images courtesy of Sonja Porter and yours truly.

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