The day came to a perfect close. that ubiquitous drizzle finally stopped and the autumn sun made a desperate but oh so futile attempt to dry and warm us all. Shopping had come to an end and now, some 30 minutes late with loads of shopping bags in hand, we headed up the road to Wilton Place Knightsbridge, home to The Berkeley, where our final dose of retail therapy would take place. Prêt-A-Portea.

Vittorio Pizzetti, assistant Caramel Room manager, where tea is poured at The Berkeley, gave us the look of one who’s more than accustomed to the sound of heels, shopping bags in much too close proximity and designer handbags all set to be unzipped.

Thankfully, our table for six was still available and other ‘beautiful’ people were just settling in. Through soft lights and mahogany glow (interpret this to mean that the place is female-friendly), we take our seats and ready ourselves for eclairs, fancies and frou-frou mousses in the style of the world’s top fashion designers, such as Bottega Veneta, Ralph Lauren and Versace; The Berkeley in Knightsbridge is about to launch its Summer 2006 Prêt-a-Portea cake collection.

Prêt-a-Portea is a new concept in afternoon tea, designed to add a creative twist to the classic elements of the traditional English afternoon tea, with the cakes and pastries inspired by the latest fashion season’s catwalk designs for the style-conscious and with savouries in miniature mouthfuls for the figure-conscious.

So with the show all set to start, and Earl Grey tea poured, we follow the fashion programme and enjoy a delectable selection of miniature mouth-watering, savoury skewers, ‘taster’ spoons and elegant canapés: Bocconcini Mozzarella – pesto sauce and red pepper coulis, loin of tuna with Teriyaki sauce, sesame seeds and asparagus and ginger, pastrami wrapped with cream cheese and apricot chicken wrap, coriander and mayonnaise tomato with mint and basil, smoked salmon skewer, prawns and lobster with MaryRose sauce, asparagus artichokes and basil with Balsamic dressing, Inoki mushrooms with mixed vegetables and Japanese vinegar.

A delicate collection of cakes and fancies, in the colours of the fashion season and in the style of the world’s finest designers follows:

Ralph Lauren nautical-striped raspberry shot glass; Valentino zesty lemon floral crunch; Versace blackcurrant and vanilla lilac crème; Yves Saint Laurent frou-frou berry mousse; Balenciaga monochrome striped chocolate éclair; Anya Hindmarch ‘Natalia’ chocolate beach basket; Bottega Veneta strawberry cheesecake ‘hot pant’ roll; Elizabeth Hurley Beach fuschia vanilla bikini biscuit and white swimsuit chocolate biscuit.

The Berkeley’s Prêt-A-Portea pastry chef visits London Fashionweek shows to get her inspiration for the colours and the textures of the new collections. Patisserie for the summer, for example, echoes the season’s trends for stripes, colours and exquisite summer chic. And like every true fashionista, keeping ahead of the threads and trends is what The Berkeley plans to do, and so there’s a distinguished Prêt committee of fashion experts from publications such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar to cast their eye over the collection. Spotted recently were accessories designer for the fashion set, Anya Hindmarch and editor of British GQ Dylan Jones. Truth be told, The Berkeley could drop names all day long.

There are so many ‘wow’ factors like the little Prêt handbag-style takeaway boxes in pale mint green with pink handles – perfect to take away any unfinished delectables or as a little gift for a friend… There’s the bespoke collection of Paul Smith fine bone china used for the tea and, for the icing on the cake, the Laurent Perrier chilled champagne is served in coloured Baccarat crystal flutes.

Prêt-a-Portea, served in the Caramel at The Berkeley from 3:00 – 6:00 pm every day at a cost of £46 per person, including a glass of couture champagne, is a definite must when next in London. SunDay Cuisine flew British Airways. To make reservations for Prêt-a-Portea call 0207 235 6000.