To me, nothing says tea time and afternoon tea like bite sized treats served on a 3 tiered tray. To serve a proper afternoon tea, use each of the tiers to hold a course. Place tea sandwiches at the bottom, scones with clotted cream and jam in the middle, and sweets on top.
Buying Tips
Get it in white or a light color. Avoid getting a 3 tiered tray that’s too bright and colorful since you want the attention to be on the food.
Look at the plate dimensions. To be able to fit all 3 courses of afternoon tea, each tier should be able to hold enough food. A 10-11 inch dimension for the bottom plate is ideal.
Top tier shouldn’t be too small I’ve seen some cake stands with tiny top tiers and they’re not very functional. Make sure the top tier can hold food.
☑️ Pretty scalloped rims gives it a feminine look☑️ Metal pillar also comes in silver☑️ Made of stoneware☑️ Elegant designThe bottom tier is 11″ wide, the middle is 9.75″, and the top tier is 7.5″. Use the stand as a centerpiece when not being used for tea treats.
☑️ Simple white plates.☑️ Made of porcelain and stainless steel.☑️ Affordable at under $40.The bottom tier is 10.75″, the middle is 8.75″, and the top is 6.25″. Easy to assemble and take apart, the plates can be stacked for storage. Without any texture on the plates, the smooth surface makes it easy to clean.
☑️ Each tier holds the same size plate.☑️ Sturdy stand, since it doesn't disassemble.☑️ Iron with nickel-plated finish. ☑️ Stand doesn't come with plates so you can use any dinner plate you have.This stand is bigger than most so it's great for entertaining. Change out the plates depending on the occasion.
☑️ Freaking adorable with a little bunny on the middle tier☑️ Each layer has a floral border☑️ Made from stoneware with a white glazed finishBottom plate is 11.25″, middle is 9″ and top is 6.25″ in diameter.
☑️ Food safe Champagne gold finish☑️ Functional yet stylish☑️ Monochrome clean look in a pretty colorBottom tray is 13″ in diameter, middle tray is 10″, and the top tray is 8″. The stand is slightly bigger than most but this has a wide, raised rim.
☑️ Charming mix of bunnies and florals☑️ Preppy and whimsical☑️ Made of 90% stoneware and 10% stainless steel with a White glazed decal finishBottom tier is 11″, middle is 8.75″, and top is 6.75″ in diameter.
☑️ Under $25☑️ White porcelain with embossed pattern☑️ Decorative handle at the topThe bottom tier is 10″, the middle is 8″, and the top is 6″ in diameter.
Can I use a 2 tiered stand for serving afternoon tea?
2 tiered stands are cute, but they don’t hold everything you need for a proper afternoon tea service which is made up of 3 courses.
Why are there no glass options on your list?
I find that once you put food on a glass plate, it starts to look messy so I avoid glass tiered stands.
What else can I use my 3 tiered stand for?
Serve breakfast or lunch buffets with different food options on each plate. Or use it to serve cookies and snacks. It’s great for holiday parties since it saves space on the table.
I’ve used my 3-tiered stands for small buffet tables but am uncertain how to use when 6 or 8 are seated at the table. Do they each reach for their goodies, or do you pass each plate off the stand, or pass the whole stand?? Surely not the latter?
Hi Rebecca, ideally, you don’t want to take the plates off the stand and pass it around and you don’t want to pass around the stand either. If you can, place multiple stands within easy reaching distance for each person. For a table of 6-8, I would place at least 2 stands so that everyone can get food off the stands without reaching.
I’ve used my 3-tiered stands for small buffet tables but am uncertain how to use when 6 or 8 are seated at the table. Do they each reach for their goodies, or do you pass each plate off the stand, or pass the whole stand?? Surely not the latter?
Hi Rebecca, ideally, you don’t want to take the plates off the stand and pass it around and you don’t want to pass around the stand either. If you can, place multiple stands within easy reaching distance for each person. For a table of 6-8, I would place at least 2 stands so that everyone can get food off the stands without reaching.