When the aliens first landed on earth (some say they’ve been here as long as the dragons), legend has it they were greeted with tea and marmalade sandwiches by a young squire, busily minding his own business on the far side of a deep and unforgiving lake. On seeing their UFO lower itself above a canopy of trees, he raced inside, prepared a tray of the finest snacks he could, and brought it to them on a tiny canoe.

The aliens were delighted to be greeted with such politesse. And this is why they have always been partial to the etiquette of afternoon tea in their spaceships. Should you ever be lucky enough to be abducted, you’ll find nothing but cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off, the finest alien scones and jam made from the fruits of a faraway planet, the likes of which you can only imagine.

UFO ON TOAST celebrates the occasion of tea and cakes, shared with strangers. When we travel to other lands, the kindness of strangers is the stuff we carry in our hearts.

I hope you enjoy this plate as much as I loved making it. I’m sure you’ll agree it carries an important message.

Enjoy!