Stoddert Students Get a Taste of British Culture

Students from Stoddert Elementary visited the British Ambassador's Residence on Massachusetts Avenue for tea, scones, shortbread, fairy cakes and chats with the UK's top diplomat in Washington. They also spoke with students from a primary school in London via Skype. 

The event, dubbed "Taste of Britain", seeks to further strengthen the cultural ties between the United States and its mother country. It is the product of collaboration between the U..S State Deparment, the British Embassy, and District of Columbia Schools.

After being welcomed by Deputy Head of Mission Philip Barton, the students engaged in a Skype videolink with students from the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in Islington, north London. The Anderson school has been visited twice by First Lady Michelle Obama, including during the Obama's most recent trip to Britain last May. 

Sir Peter Westmacott, who began his tenure as ambassador in January, stopped by for a chat with the students as they learned how to cook tasty treats under the supervision of the residence's top chef. Later, they learned the proper way to set a table fit for a queen (literally), including napkin folding and the proper placement of utensils.

Student Tamer Whittle-Hage later said of the event, "[it was] awesome! The best part of the trip was making real English tea and eating scones. I got to talk about soccer with the Ambassador. He didn't think I would know anything about the Premier League and was surprised that I did! I liked him even though he's an Arsenal fan and my favorite team is Manchester City!"