“Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen…” or at least, that’s the feeling 1856 – Culinary Residence is channeling this June as it brings back its Mamma Mia-inspired Tea on Thach experience inside The Laurel Hotel & Spa.

The afternoon tea will take place on Sunday, June 14 and Sunday, June 28 from 2–4 p.m., transforming the MICHELIN-recognized teaching restaurant into a Mediterranean-inspired escape complete with curated teas, handcrafted pastries, rooftop garden experiences, and floral photo moments.

Tea on Thach is 1856’s elevated interpretation of the classic British afternoon tea tradition—and currently the only experience of its kind in Auburn. This summer’s edition leans into the bright, playful spirit of Mamma Mia!, blending Mediterranean-inspired flavors with refined service and seasonal ingredients sourced in part through Auburn University’s horticulture program.

Guests will begin their experience at Walt’s on the Roof, where members of Auburn University’s Department of Horticulture and the 1856 culinary team will guide a rooftop garden tour featuring light hors d’oeuvres, scenic views, and photo opportunities — including a large floral frame made from live hydrangeas.

Inside the tea service, the menu blends savory and sweet Mediterranean-inspired dishes with premium teas grown by Auburn horticulture students. Tea selections include Sideritis Greek Mountain tea, Lemon Verbena, and Maghrebi Mint, while cocktail offerings include playful themed drinks such as the “Does Your Mother Know You’re Out” Pineapple Upside-down Cake Martini and the “Chiquitita Tell Me the Truth” cocktail with tequila, hibiscus, habanero, and citrus.

The food menu includes cucumber-dill tzatziki with toasted pita, whipped feta with strawberry and olive oil, Greek salad sandwiches on ciabatta, strawberry lemon scones with clotted cream and raspberry fig jam, and limoncello mascarpone petit fours.

The event arrives during a milestone year for 1856 – Culinary Residence, which was recently recognized in the MICHELIN Guide 2025 guide, becoming the first restaurant in Auburn—and the first teaching restaurant in the United States—to receive the distinction. The restaurant’s chef in residence, Joël Antunes, was also recently featured in Food & Wine for his work with Salers beef, a prized French cattle breed known for its depth of flavor and quality.

Located inside Auburn University’s Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center, 1856 brings together hospitality students from the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management with professional chefs and front-of-house staff to create a constantly evolving dining experience centered on culinary education. The restaurant also partners closely with Auburn University’s Department of Horticulture to source produce, herbs, teas, and flowers directly from campus gardens, reinforcing its farm-to-table philosophy.

Tickets for Tea on Thach are $75 per person for adults and $35 per person for children 10 and under, not including tax and gratuity. Reservations include full tea service, with additional coffee, sparkling wine, and cocktails available for purchase. Valet parking is available through The Laurel Hotel & Spa entrance on East Thach Avenue.

You can purchase tickets for the unforgettable Mamma Mia-inspired Tea on Thach here.