WHAT is the difference between brunch and afternoon tea? Certainly what they have in common is that they were both once a key part of the daily eating ritual for thousands of people up and down the land that has now rather gone out of fashion.

For whatever reason - lack of time, lack of money, the fear it is elitist, or most probably the lack of a big enough appetite - hardly anyone sits down to those meals twix breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner anymore.

In my opinion, the biggest difference is that when you mention afternoon tea the image I conjure up is of ridiculously small triangular sandwiches served alongside delicate slices of Battenberg and a proper cup of tea in a bone china cup.

However, ask me to brunch and I'm left scratching my head and wondering just what sort of a repast is likely to be laid before me - and how large a breakfast I should eat beforehand.

Thankfully for the similarly uninitiated, The Albert Hall's incredibly popular Ignite Brunch sessions, held at the stylish Cafe Consort, take you gently by the hand and introduce you to a new concept in daytime concerts which are as big a treat for the stomach as they are for the ears.

From the moment the professional and courteous staff welcome you to your table you are left in no doubt you are about to get a small taste of the sophisticate lifestyle.

A compact menu listing a simple selection of main courses and desserts is placed before you - but if you're anything like me you'll want to start with one of the tempting choices of drinks.

At 11.30am who isn't ready for a nice pick-me-up of Bucks Fizz or a Bloody Mary? You might as well indulge since the first one is free, although after that the cost of refills could push the final bill a little high.

The good news is as much tea or coffee as you can physically imbibe is included in the price and, although I don't touch the stuff myself, others informed me they are excellent varieties.

My friend Sarah and I had been lucky enough to attend a previous Ignite Brunch, so we felt like seasoned pros as we confidently ordered our main courses.

Last time we lost precious minutes arguing over what kedgeree was, so this time I played safe with eggs Benedict, while Sarah gave the smoked salmon bagels and scrambled egg a whirl.

By this stage, the room was filling with the sound of sweet music provided by the dulcet tones of jazz singer Parry Ray and her band. Her first album was released in 2007 and she treated us to many highlights, along with stories of why they were favourites of hers.

When the food came I was delighted to find the poached eggs were light and fluffy with a wonderfully smooth and runny centre. The muffins they were served on were nicely toasted (can't stand burnt bread!) and the Serrano ham provided the perfect accompaniment. The best bit? A generous serving of Hollandaise sauce.

Sarah was very impressed by the salmon and the eggs, although she did feel the bagel could have been toasted more.

Washing everything down with some more Bucks Fizz, we turned out attention to the dessert menu.

I was prepared to court accusations of unoriginality and plumped for the same as last time: The delectable chocolate brownie with pistachio mascarpone, which was as rich and filling as it was indulgent. Sarah decided to play safe with a fresh and healthy fruit salad, the presentation of which in a striking red glass made it the right one in her eyes.

Jazz may not be everyone's accompaniment of choice, but rest assured the volume never gets so intrusive that you cannot enjoy yourself - or fail to relax and let the smooth sounds wash over you.

Parry Ray is soon to be appearing in her own television series Parry Ray, about the adventures of a jazz singer and former CIA informer. As gimmicks go it certainly sounds intriguing and if she fights crime anywhere near as good as she sings - then London's underworld is in for some serious trouble!

IGNITE BRUNCH, ROYAL ALBERT HALL, Kensington Gore 0845 401 5045