MATBA Summer Seminar at Oxford Hall Cafe, New Cumberland

Members of the Mid-Atlantic Tea Business Association recently gathered at the Oxford Hall Celtic Shop and Cafe in New Cumberland, PA for their summer seminar. This specialty shop offers afternoon tea by advance reservation, but you may stop in and visit the cafe during business hours and order from the menu. They have a large selection of loose-leaf tea and a fabulous food case filled with Irish goodies.

Since our members travel from various states, including PA, NJ, MD, and WV the host location typically has a welcoming reception where members can nibble on something, visit the gift shop, and catch up with fellow tea business entrepreneurs. Fresh fruit and a moist muffin were set up near the seating area.

Owner Cindy Washburn, and newly elected MATBA vice president, welcomed us before we enjoyed afternoon tea. Members selected their tea for the day, and it was served in 2 cup or 4 cup pots. MATBA secretary Monika Mraz of Doehrn Tea Co ordered a pot of Golden Monkey. A flavorful Tomato Basil Soup was the first course. 

Our new president, Melissa Fitch-Ciccotelli of Tea You There is shown seated on the left. Both Melissa and Monika have their businesses located in MD. A Chopped Salad with Honey Vinaigrette was the next course. This was very fresh and tasty. Owner Cindy has a roof top garden where she harvests fresh herbs and tomatoes during the growing season.

The three tiered tray was presented to each table, laden with a variety of sandwiches, scones, and desserts.

The sandwiches included their signature Tomato Pesto Tart, Chicken Salad on a petite roll or hummus 'tuna' salad for the vegetarian option, and Egg Salad with Watercress. The watercress is also grown in abundance on the roof top garden.

The Scone was served with Devon Cream, Lemon Curd and a petite jar of Strawberry Preserves. Our program for the day was presented by Cecille Steele from Harrowgate Fine Foods, the source for the lemon curd. Cecille shared their history of their growing business and presented a small jar of curd to each attendee as a favor. 

dessert tier rounded out the tea and included a Welsh Griddle Cake, Macaron, Shortbread, and Apple Strudel. It was a tasty array of assorted goodies. Special thanks to Cindy for an enjoyable event.

MATBA members will gather again in October at Tea by Two in Bel Air, MD.

 

Hydrangea Tea Cottage and Gifts - MATBA April Seminar

Members of the Mid-Atlantic Tea Business Association traveled to Pottsville, PA to attend the April meeting held at Hydrangea Cottage Tea & Gifts. Owner and fellow MATBA member Erik Tice welcomed a group of entrepreneurs to his tearoom and gift shop. After some shopping, and before we sat down for tea, we were encouraged to select a teacup from the collection on display.

We enjoyed the intimacy of a smaller group at this gathering and thus we were seated around a large dining room table on the second floor. The gift shop occupies the first floor, and spills over onto the second floor where we were seated in the front parlor.

The menu was placed at each seat and announced a delicious assortment of goodies yet to come.

First up, we were served an Apricot and Almond Scone with clotted cream and apricot preserves.

Following the scone course, we enjoyed a warm cup of Spring Minestrone Soup topped with croutons.

Pedestaled cake plates filled with tea sandwiches and a fresh pansy garnish were brought to the table next. The sandwich selection included Truffled Egg Salad, Cucumber with Lime & Dill Aioli, and Ham with Green Tea Cream Cheese Spread. The sandwiches were petite, but each guest received two of each variety.

The colorful and tasty dessert medley included a frosted Pineapple Cookie, a Peanut Butter Snickers Bar, and Lemon Cake.

Erik made certain that our teacups were filled with the teas of the day which included Monks Meditation (a Ceylon black tea with catnip, grenadine flavor and calendula petals) and Beatrix Potter (a caffeine-free blend of green rooibos, rosehips, strawberry flavor, chamomile, spearmint and lemongrass).

Hydrangea Cottage Tea and Gifts is celebrating their fifth year in business. Their gift shop includes teas from Piper & Leaf Tea Company and Simpson & Vail Teas. They have soaps, marmalades, candles, dip mixes and more. In addition, they offer artwork from local artists. Tea is served on the third Saturday and Sunday of the month, by reservation only. 

Susanna Reppert Brill of The Rosemary House (PA) presented a program on The Ins and Outs of Selling Herbal or Functional Teas. Following the program, during the business meeting, outgoing president Karen Donnelly of Greenhalgh Tea, (PA) welcomed newly elected president Melissa Fitch-Ciccotelli of Tea You There (MD) to the helm. Karen has presided over the Association for the past four years. Melissa has accepted the role of president for the upcoming two year term.

MATBA Gathering at Tea-For-All, Trenton, NJ

Mike and Debbie Raab, owners of Tea for All in Trenton, NJ hosted the fall seminar for members of the Mid-Atlantic Tea Business Association. Their business is located in the Trenton Farmers Market in Lawrence Township, NJ. The fall decor set the scene for an enjoyable event. The session began with a presentation by Steve Schilling, Fine Arts Photographer. His photographs seek to tell the story of places, the stories of objects, and the stories of people. He presented two topics which included 'Slow Art in The Tea Room' and 'Food Photography hints and tips'. Both presentations were well received by the members of MATBA.

Deb introduced the members of her 'team' and explained that this was their first formal tea event. Members traveled from NY, PA, and MD to attend this seminar. 

Menu boards, placed on each table, noted that the entire Afternoon Tea was vegan, meaning no meat, no eggs, and no dairy. The seasonal menu promised to be a tasty and healthy treat for everyone. 

A hearty Kale Salad was served first, well massaged and tasty with a delicate vinaigrette.

Hearty and warming Butternut Squash Soup served in a China teacup was the next course. Following the soup, the tiered trays were presented to each table.

The tiered tray held the tea sandwiches which included Avocado Cucumber, Carrot Raisin, and Chickpea 'Tuna' Salad. They were all very flavorful, colorful and quite tasty. The top tier held an assortment of teatime sweets which included Chocolate Mousse, Carrot Cake Truffles, Pumpkin Chocolate Truffles, and Coconut Pistachio Bites. A glazed scone served separately rounded out the menu.

Many thanks to our hosts, Deb and Mike Raab. They provided a wonderful assortment of teas to complement the flavorful vegan tea menu. The gathering of members of the tea association always provides the opportunity to share ideas, receive encouragement, promote and honor each other, and share the joy and passion of our profession. It is a rejuvenating experience, and an enjoyable one. With the unknown weather factor, the winter session will be held via zoom. 

MATBA Gathering at the Doehrn Tea Company, Oxford, MD

The Quarterly Meeting of the Mid Atlantic Tea Business Association was recently held at the Doehrn Tea Company in Oxford, MD on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Owner Monika Mraz operates her tea business from her home where you can purchase teas on most Fridays. You can also find her vending tea at the Easton's Farmer Market on Saturdays.

After our morning reception, we were introduced to Tricia King, owner of  "The Gluten-Free Bakery Girl". Tricia shared her knowledge about gluten free baking and offered suggestions for hosting an afternoon tea that caters to the gluten free diet. In addition, she touched on vegan baking. Following the program, we were served a Gluten Free/Vegan Afternoon Tea. We were welcomed to Monika’s home where tables were set up in preparation for our specialty tea. The menu was placed at each seat.

Members were able to select their teas from an extensive collection. Shown here is a delightful Chunmee, a refreshing Chinese green tea. The first course featured Gazpacho, a flavorful chilled tomato soup. This is always a good choice on a hot summer day.

The tiered tray held a variety of sweet and savory gluten free and vegan options. Seated at another table are members Susanna Reppert from The Rosemary House (PA), Deb Raab from Tea-for-All (NJ) and Cindy Washburn from Oxford Hall Celtic Shop and Café (PA).

The sandwiches included  a Cucumber Sandwich, A White Bean and Artichoke Spread with tomato and lettuce, and a Dolma, a grape leaf stuffed with seasoned rice and veggies.

The gluten free scone was served with whipped 'cream', and petite jars of orange marmalade or strawberry jam. Fresh strawberries garnished the plate.

The dessert medley included a Petite Chocolate Whoppie Pie and an Almond Tea Cake. Lemon Sorbet with fresh blueberries was served as its own course.

 Following our tea, a business meeting took place. Members headed back home after a very  tasty and informative session with plans to attend the next quarterly meeting to be held at Tea for All in Trenton, NJ in October.

Mid Atlantic Tea Business Association 20th Anniversary

Members of the Mid Atlantic Tea Business Association gathered in Gettysburg at the Garryowen Irish Pub to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the association. Originated in 2005 by Nancy Reppert of Sweet Remembrances Tea Room, Susanna Reppert Brill of The Rosemary House, and Janet Young of Over the Teacup, the association was established to advance the knowledge of tea through networking and educational opportunities for the tea entrepreneur. 

Members meet quarterly, either via zoom or an in person meeting typically held at a members tea room. Since the Garryowen Irish Pub offers Afternoon Tea, we gathered here for our celebratory meeting so that all members attending the meeting would be able to enjoy the special day. Our Welcoming Reception was plentiful with blueberry  muffins, chocolate chip muffins, petit mushroom quiche and rolled cinnamon puffs along side a variety of fruit. Tea bags and hot pots of water were available on each table.

The room was bright and cheerful with fresh flowers on the tables, and tea themed décor adorned the shelves. The waitstaff was attentive to our needs. Members gathered from near and far to celebrate this milestone celebration.

Karen Donnelly, President, Ann Ashcraft

Marnie D'Amato, Lin Henry, Eric Tice

Susanna Reppert

Susanna introduced our speaker for the morning, Babette Donaldson. Babette is a tea educator, writer, author of "The Everything Healthy Tea Book" and "The Emma Lea Books" and is the Owner & Editor of TChing. Her topic was 'Infuse your Business with Herbs and Tea."

Janet and Erin honored the founding members with a tribute to their dedication to the association, and  presented a gift from the membership to Susanna, Nancy, and Janet.

Erin Bradley, Janet Meyers

Afternoon Tea began with a salad that featured Local greens, cucumber, chevre, mandarins, and a basil-walnut vinaigrette. The tea bag selection on the table featured Irish teas.

Following the salad a thick and rich Mushroom Bisque was served.

The tiered tray held an assortment of Savory and Sweet options. The savory selection included a Ham sandwich with spinach, and an apple-onion-brie spread on wheat bread. There was a deviled egg pate on herbed crostini, and a Tomato, bacon, and Swiss puff pastry.

The sweets included an Orange Scone, a slice of Carrot Cake Loaf, and Rosemary Shortbread.

Each member was presented with a 20th Anniversary Celebration Tea Canister with the Mid-Atlantic Tea Business Association logo engraved on the canister.

 

In addition, members received a tote filled with tea samples from various venders, a copy of TeaTime magazine, surprises from fellow members, matcha flavored Kit Kat, and other small gifts. It was a celebratory day for all.