While hot cups of tea calm our nerves on stressful days, the world’s toughest tea challenge, Dilmah Real High Tea, is set to stir up those of 21 national winners fighting for the top spot over at Sri Lanka in July. Cafes in Singapore on the other hand, will have their fair share of fun as well, starting this weekend. From 20 to 28 June, nine local cafes will be participating in Dilmah High Tea Cafe Challenge with OpenRice, where they will host their own interpretations of “Real High Tea”. Using a starter kit comprising six varieties of Dilmah tea, each cafe has designed tea pairings with signature or new items on their menu. Judging will take place on 23 & 24 June, by a panel that includes Singapore’s top food bloggers – Daniel Ang from Daniel's Food Diary and Dr Leslie Tay from ieatishootipost – as well as Adeline Tan from OpenRice Singapore. Scroll down to find out how you can win attractive prizes!

Meet The 9 Contenders Which cafes are participating? What will they be serving?

1. Carpenter & Cook

Carpenter & Cook's high tea menu is a gathering of all-time favourites and newly rolled out creations. We’re calling dibs on their Chocolate & Sea Salt Caramel Tart + Acai Berry with Pomegranate tea pairing, where the tanginess from the tea balances the richness of the Valhorna chocolate perfectly. Other highlights include Raspberry & Lychee Macarons served with Rose and French Vanilla tea, as well as finger sandwiches served on vintage 3-tier trays. Oh how very British. Available only on weekdays, the high tea sets are priced at $20 per pax. Reservations of at least 1 day in advance are required. Carpenter & Cook, 19 Lorong Kilat #01-06, Singapore 598120

2. Miss Molly's

Apart from dropping by for value-for-money set lunches, ice-cold beers and free wifi, Miss Molly's invites you to swing by and try their delectable selection of cakes paired with Dilmah’s complex tea selection for a cosy tea session whilst you’re in the area. A refreshing combination of Key Lime Meringue + Gentle Minty Green Tea should cool you off on a hot day, and our eyes glisten at the thought of a Rainbow Cake + Rose with French Vanilla tea pairing. Miss Molly's, 2 Craig Road, Singapore 089662

3. House of Commons

House of Commons may sport a décor with upcycled materials, but their dessert creations are simply one-of-a-kind. For Dilmah's High Tea Café Challege, the team has paired the fragrant Ceylon Spice Chai, which carries notes of herbs and spices, with their Almond Kheer – an Indian sweet and creamy rice pudding made from almonds and milk with hints of ghee and saffron for taste. Another pairing we’ll be keeping an eye out for – Gentle Minty Green Tea + Seafood Quiche, a crusted flan made with swiss cheese, bacon, crabmeat and shrimps. House of Commons, 138 Owen Road, Singapore 218939

4. Working Title

One of Arab Street’s well-known cafes, Working Title, has put together two high tea pairings for you to enjoy from 20 - 28 June. Inspired to enhance the flavours of teas with their pastries, the café will be offering a French Toast + Ceylon Spice Chai Tea duo, where cinnamon from the toast duly elevates the spice present in chai tea. Working Title, 48 Arab Street, Singapore 199745

5. The Bark Cafe

If a laidback high tea experience set amidst lush greenery (sans the mozzies) sounds like a perfect plan to you, The Bark Café will be right up your alley. Their high tea menu is a take on the classics, with favourites like Cheesecake paired with Elegant Earl Grey Tea and Club Sandwich with a traditional English Breakfast Tea. Each set is priced at $17.90++. The Bark Cafe, 1000 Upper Changi Road North, Singapore 507707

6. Jasper's Pantry

Serving up a carnival of sweets and savouries, Jasper's Pantry rides on their motto “Lovingly Baked” to feature a high tea menu that is accessible and familiar. Elegant Earl Grey Tea marries a citrus-famous Passion Fruit Profiterole, while their best-selling Mini Chicken Pie is paired with a heavy bodied English Breakfast Tea, which also comes in an iced lemon tea version made using candied lemons. Priced at $9 per pax. Jasper's Pantry, Icon Village (Altez), 16 Enggor Street #01-13, Singapore 079717

7. Do.Main Bakery

Do.Main Bakery executes their high tea menu with French flair as they prepare a mix of savoury and sweet pastries and desserts using classical French techniques. Look out for the Mini Wholewheat Croissant filled with Mayonnaise Curry Chicken, featuring their signature croissant, baked from flour imported from France. For sweets, we’re gunning for the Snickers-inspired Peanut Caramel Macaron. Each high tea set will be priced at $32 for 2 pax. Do.Main Bakery, 226 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437015

8. The Tea Party Cafe

Unlike its Bukit Timah predecessor, The Tea Party Cafe at Biopolis boasts a bigger and brighter interior though it does retain that same chilled-out atmosphere and simple yet delicious grub. Their high tea set, priced at $7.50 per person, includes one food item and a pot of tea. Selections include Scones + Rose with French Vanilla Tea, Samosas + Spiced Ceylon Chai Tea and Blue Berry Cheese Cake + Acai Berry with Pomegranate Tea amongst others. The Tea Party Cafe, 1 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138622

9. Doi Chaang Coffee

While Doi Chaang Coffee takes pride in their coffees that are brewed with premium Arabica coffee beans, tea lovers can head down to their second and newest outlet at 321 Clementi, where two tiers of high tea sets will be available from 20 to 28 June -- $8.90 for the Tandoori Chicken Basil Wrap with Ceylon Spice Chai Tea and $10.90 for the sweet tooths, Earl Grey Crepe and Chocolate Lava Cake with an accompanying cup of tea. Doi Chaang Coffee, 321 Clementi Avenue 3 #01-02, Singapore 129905

Join Our Contests! Follow us on our social media platforms for updates on upcoming OpenRice Singapore X Dilmah giveaways. Facebook: www.facebook.com/openrice.sg Instagram: @openricesg

For more Dilmah High Tea action around the world, visit: Dilmah Tea Gastronomy Facebook page. View all high tea sets available for Dilmah High Tea Cafe Challenge here.

Written by Peh Yi Wen