Tea is served once again at Victoria's Crystal Garden
Third annual Victoria Tea Festival, February 14 & 15, 2009, noon to 5pm
Crystal Garden, 713 Douglas Street
In a city renowned for tea, at a venue once the site of fancy tea parties, the Victoria Tea Festival expands to a two-day event at the refurbished Crystal Garden Saturday, Feb. 14 & Sunday, Feb 15. In its third year, the festival is now the largest public tea exhibition in North America. This year’s event includes a generous line-up of exhibitors who will tantalize the taste buds and capture the imagination of tea connoisseurs and innocents alike. Visitors can sample from among hundreds of tea tastings, appropriately paired tea-food selections and a variety of unique, interactive and educational tea experiences.
Complimentary lectures round out the sensory experience, exploring topics historic, romantic, gastronomic and whimsical. Tea Master Daniela Cubelic, co-owner of Silk Road, introduces some of the world’s rarest and most precious teas; chef Steve Walker-Duncan from Ambrosia Conference and Event Centre discusses cold infusions and tea syrups, rubs and flavour layering, deglazing and baking; Christine Smart of Smart Events shares decor ideas, planning tips and party themes to help celebrate a new birth, a wedding reception, a children’s tea party and other memorable tea-inspired events.
Whether one prefers tasting, shopping or learning about tea, the Victoria Tea Festival will open up the senses to all things tea. Visitors are sure to find the perfect cuppa to match their tastes and lifestyles.
Lecture schedule
Saturday, February 14
- 1 pm - Finding Romance in the Poetry of Tea (Earlene Grey – Author)
- 1:30 pm - Hosting the Perfect “Tea Party” (Christine Smart – Smart Events)
- 2:30 pm - Rooibos – Good for You, Good for Africa (Liz Bandelin – Nu Tea)
- 3 pm - A Connoisseur’s Guide to Tea (Daniela Cubelic – Silk Road)
- 4 pm - History of Tea at the Empress (Mandy Kray – WalkAbouts Historical Tours)
Sunday, February 15
- 12:30 pm - Cooking with Teas (Steve Walker-Duncan – Ambrosia Conference & Event Centre)
- 1:30 pm -Yerba Mate – Equal Parts Health, Culture & Ecology (Robert McCauley-Guayaki Sustainable Rainforest Products)
- 2 pm - Afternoon Niceties (Elizabeth Levinson – Café Mela)
- 3:30 pm - History of Afternoon Tea at Butchart Gardens (Rob Churchill-But)
- 4 pm - Tea and Chocolate (Bob Krul – BREWT)
Weekend passes are $20 advance, $25 at the door. Tickets are on sale now at all Serious Coffee locations, Silk Road and various other locations.
For a complete list of ticket outlets, event details and lecture descriptions, visit www.victoriateafestival.com
The Victoria Tea Festival is a fundraiser for Camosun College’s Child Care Services.
Sponsored by: Silk Road, Victoria Conference Centre, DVBA, Esprit Tea, JagaSilk, Butchart Gardens, Fairmont Empress, Murchies, Serious Coffee, Planet Organic, Bubby Rose’s Bakery, Best of Both Worlds, Inn at Laurel Point, Times Colonist, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, Ocean 98.5, and CHEK News.
Contact
Lisa Stekelenburg
Manager, Camosun College Child Care Services
250–370–4889
www.victoriateafestival.com
