Annual Miami’s Best Scones Event

In the USA, a scone typically looks like a large, crumbly sweet treat, somewhere between a cookie and a muffin. It might feature fruit pieces or have a sweet glaze on top. But if you’re British, you know that a true scone is a plain, nutritious biscuit with a subtle sweetness. If your exposure to scones is purely from the American side, experiencing an authentic British scone can be a delightful surprise. However, finding this delicacy in Miami is not easy, except on Presidents’ Day weekend during the Coconut Grove Arts Festival when Nicola Brown, a local baker, showcases her creations to fundraise for charitable causes.

Nicola Brown, originally from the north of England, relocated to Miami in her 20s to raise her three daughters. She’s a seasoned baker with over four decades of experience starting when she was just 12, learning from her late mother. Brown says that baking is therapeutic for her; she derives immense pleasure in doing it for others. Over the years, she has crafted her own unique recipes and has gained a local following. Some of her specialties include scones served with fresh jam and homemade clotted cream, lemon pound cake, coffee cake, “Jamble Bars” (shortbread filled with jam), and double chocolate cookies. Brown claims her British baked goods have been a hit at the festival primarily because of their uniqueness.

Brown’s bake sale is not a part of the official Coconut Grove Arts Festival. Rather, her church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal, hosts a parallel art festival on the same grounds. Staffed by volunteers, the annual St. Stephen’s Art Show, according to Brown, serves to bring the parish community together. In its initial years, the focus was not fully on food, featuring a hot dog stand along with Brown and another Brit selling a small amount of scones. Now, it has grown into a significant event called St. Stephen’s English Tea Room, selling over 300 scones, cakes, and bars each year.

In her free time, Brown conducts private events at her home that she refers to as “Gratitude Teas”. Here, they celebrate all aspects of life that they are grateful for and spread positivity. She gets immense joy from these events. She has given thought to opening a bakery or a teahouse but is content with her current setup and the life she has at the British Tea Room, the sunlight and vividness of the location energizing her. If you happen to be around the Grove this weekend for the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, do consider popping in for some positivity and of course, a couple of scones. The British Tea Room is located at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 2750 McFarlane Rd., Coconut Grove; open from Saturday, February 17 to Monday, February 19, between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.